This isn’t really “new” news but it definitely speaks to the fact that we’re still in recession. You can easily invest in a big bag of flour (preferably wheat flour for the vitamins) to make this. I got two big bags of quality flour from CostCo for about $10, and I think I’m set for the year.
We did a test at home on this one to see whether it matters if you do knead the bread and the difference is very minimal.
3 cups of flour
1/4 teaspoon yeast
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups of warm water
With clean hands, just swish the ingredients around in a mixing bowl. Leave overnight for at least 12 hours. The longer, the better.
When you are ready to bake, Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Find a bowl made of pyrex or cast iron (cast iron is probably much better) with a lid and put it in the oven. Wait about 20 minutes or until the inside of the bowl is about 200 degrees F.
At this point you can add anything you like to your bread dough. Ground flax, oat bran or your favorite dried herbs is great, and dressing the outside of the bread with extra virgin olive oil will give it a little extra crunch, but the bread is good with or without these add-ins.
When the bowl is hot enough, take some oven mitts and remove bowl from the oven. Drop the dough in. Bake for 30 minutes with the cover on, and 15 minutes without the cover for that golden, crunchy outside.
I’ll post pictures soon.
Reference: NY Times The Minimalist
