Recipe: No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread for the Dutch Oven

This is an interesting idea.  I haven't tried it...yet! 

No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread for the Dutch Oven

Ingredients
3 cups all purpose or bread flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cup water (any temperature)

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir with a fork or a dough wisk until moistened. The dough will be wet and sticky – perfect! Cover your dough bowl with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter for 12-18 hours. Overnight is great.  Don’t touch it.

After 12-18 hours, preheat your oven to 450 degrees and flour your counter and hands with plenty of flour. Turn your bowl upside down until the dough falls to the counter.  Using the flour, work the dough into a small round ball.  Allow the ball of dough to rest on the counter covered with plastic wrap.

After your oven preheats to 450, place your Dutch oven inside (with lid) for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, carefully remove your hot Dutch oven, remove the lid and transfer your dough ball into the Dutch Oven.  (I just scoop it up with two cupped hands).  Carefully plop the dough ball into the center of the Dutch Oven.  Do not use spray in your Dutch Oven.  If your dough ball is lightly floured it won’t stick!

 

Don’t worry about the shape of your dough ball.  It will come out great no matter what you do to it.  Place the lid on top and place in the oven for 30 minutes.  Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes or just until your loaf is nicely browned.

But if you decide that a Dutch Oven is in your future (they’re great!), I recommend the Lodge Color EC6D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Island Spice Red, 6-Quart on sale for only $49.97 plus get FREE shipping with Amazon Prime!  It's a bargain there versus the department and cooking store choices for nearly $100.

The end result of your simple mixing and transferring will be a wonderful crusty loaf of bread with a soft and airy interior, all created by the hot and moist environment inside the Dutch oven.  The flavor and texture are out of this world.  I dare you to eat just one piece hot from the oven and not go back for more!

Thanks MoneySavingMadness