It can't get any easier. And yes I said NO KNEADING!!!
Trust me on this, try it, you'll never buy bread again it so easy AND versatile.
3 cups AP Flour
1 3/4-2 cups of water
Splash of olive oil
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp of quick rise yeast
***Cast iron with lids is required***
12-18 hrs before you need the bread, mix all dry in bowl. (Min. of 12 hours is needed) Add water and stir with spatula until the flour is completely wet and a bit soggy. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit on counter. That's it until baking. I usually make after dinner for next mornings baking.
Yup, this is what it looks like. Hot shaggy mess. Stay with me.
In the morning, or after your 12 hr period you'll have a gassy wet ball of dough that has risen beautifully.
Lay out a cheese cloth (keep the plastic wrap) and covered in flour. A good dose of flour. Cover your spatula in flour and as gently as possible remove the hot mess from the bowl onto your floured surface. Cover the dough in flour and gently shape into a circle. Use a good amount of flour, the dough should feel silky to handle.
Cut the dough into 4 equal parts.
Take the corners of your now 4 triangles and tuck under to reshape into bowls. Handle gently, the less gass escaping the better. Dust with flour and lay plastic wrap in top. Don't press or seal, your dough will absorbs some flour and you don't want stickiness.
Turn oven to 450. Place cast iron with lids into oven and let heat during warm up and for 20 - 30 mins after 450 is reached. Take out cast iron, place 2 boules into each pot, put lids on, put back in oven and make a coffee. You've got 30 minutes till check in.
At the 30 mins mark remove lids and bread should resemble this colour and size.
Cook for 15 more minutes uncovered. Turn oven off and leave for another 5-7 minutes. Remove from cast iron and place in racks to dry.
Your results will amaze you because of how simple it is. The crust is thick, crunchy and crumbly, the bread inside is airy and some density to it. It's old school bread, not light and fluffy, but serious hard core bread lovers bread. Yup! It's that good.
