My No-Knead Bread

If you realize that just sitting around or in the store, flour compacts to the point, it won't measure well for you. So stir it up, get some air going, then either spoon it in your measuring cup or weigh it. Weighing ingredients is the best. So now that we've cleared up the flour story, let's look at the recipe.

3 1/4 cups or 390 grams unbleached all purpose flour (organic is best)
1 cup or 113 grams white whole wheat flour (repeating, organic is best)
2 teaspoons salt, preferably sea salt
1 teaspoon SAF yeast
1 3/4 cup or 397 grams water

I like to proof my yeast before beginning. So run your hot water, measure the amount and check the temperature. Do no exceed 115º. It should be between 100º to 110ºF. Add the water to your mixing bowl. Add the yeast. Let it blend with the water for about 5 minutes. This does two things: let's you know your yeast is working, and it allows the bread to rise a bit more.
Mix all ingredients until a sticky dough forms. Use either a stand mixer or a dough whisk. Make sure all the flour is incorporated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or put it into a 6 quart lidded container. Let rest at room temperature overnight 8-18 hours.
Next day: Place in a slightly greased dutch oven pot, smooth side up. Cover with its lid and let rise for 2 hours. It'll get puffy but will not double.
Place bread pot in a cold oven. Set oven temperature to 450ºF. Bake 45-50 minutes. Remove lid. Please be so aware that this lid is freaking hot. Wear hot gloves to do this!!!
Bake another 5 -15 minutes until it is golden brown. Remove bread from oven and turn onto a cooling rack. Cool before slicing. (This is the hard part in my house. Hubster is always lurking and dying to slice this bread.)
You can subsitute more whole wheat flour up to 1/2 without changing the recipe. You can also add some shredded cheese and herbs.

Bread Adventure

I have been so enjoying all these new methods being shared by professional bread bakers and home bakers. My most favorite recipes that I've tried make two loaves. Once I saw a particular pot on sale--I saw my chance of baking the two loaves at the same time. The pot is clay, an Emile Henry 4 quart pot with a delicious recipe for Boeuf Bourgignon. It's in French but I do remember enough of that language to decifer the recipe. Here's the pot:

It's red, of course. It'll bake my bread along with my 4 quart Lodge pot. I have never liked the idea of heating a pot to 450º, removing it from the oven, plopping the dough in, etc. The usual no-knead method. King Arthur Flour bakers have tried the cold pot method. The bread bakes longer but the pot is so much safer to handle. You will be removing the hot pot cover, but putting on two gloves meant to handle this, just remains an easier method. The bread is truly artisan, crust chewy, taste: totally awesome. Using organic flours make this bread even tastier.  When the family visits, one loaf is not enough. Tonight I'm adding some herbs from the garden and cheese to the recipe. Tomorrow, we bake the bread.

I would love to hear from other bread bakers about the no-knead method. So far, my adjustments have been proofing the yeast, even though I use SAF instant yeast. Proofing it allows the dough to rise higher, and doing some kneading, also, allows the dough to rise higher. Let me know what you think.

So Much Appreciation

I can't begin to describe the looks on the gals' faces when I showed up with over 60 quilts. My thanks goes out to my Guild members. The Evergreen Piecemakers did not let me down. Over 20 quilts came from this group, and a wonderful group of quiltmakers in the Lady of the Lake Guild sent over 20 quilts. The rest came from Farm Girls Sisters from all over the US. What a wonderful group of people. The people in Oso and Darrington plus the rescuers will all benefit from your donations. Some of the guys and gals working in the mudslide area left their jobs to look for relatives or friends. It's hard, horrible work.
You all sent such wonderful pieces of warmth and comfort. Bless you. I finally feel at peace knowing some help has been delivered.
Everyone--have a blessed Easter holiday. Enjoy your family and friends. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Live the day!