Crusty Bread {No Knead}

Every person in the world should have this recipe!  Not only is it just 4 ingredients, but it doesn't require any special equipment; no wheat grinder, bread maker, mixer, or even a bread pan.  Easily the best starting point for anyone who is intimidated or scared of making their own bread.  This recipe is basically fool proof, yet so so delicious.  The perfect artisan bread; we love serving ours with soup.

Crusty Bread

Recipe from Simply So Good
6 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. dry yeast (or 1/3 c. natural yeast)
3 c. water, room temperature

In a large bowl mix flour, salt and yeast together (if using natural yeast, wait to add that with the water).
Pour water into bowl and mix with a spatula until well incorporated.

Lightly cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit on your counter for 12-18 hours.
After dough has risen for 12-18 hours, it should be doubled in size, wet looking, and have lots of bubbles.
After dough has risen, put a cast iron pot or a regular pan, including the lid, in the oven while you preheat it to 450 degrees.
You will need to bake each loaf of bread in a separate pan, so you can either preheat two pans, or you can cook one loaf at a time in the same pan.
While preheating pan(s), heavily flour a work surface and your hands.
Gently dump your dough onto the floured surface.
Use your hands to roughly shape the dough into a ball.
Use a serrated knife to cut the ball in half.
Use your hands again to shape each half into a round, flat ball.
Remove hot pans from the oven and remove the lids.
Gently lift each ball of dough and lay it in the center of your pans - you do not need cooking spray. Place lids on the pans and return to the 450 degree oven.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
After that, remove the lids and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.

9 Grain Whole Wheat Bread {with Natural Yeast}

We are not gluten free in this house (obviously), but I've been experimenting with natural yeast because of the health benefits.  I do have a gluten free friend who uses natural yeast to make her own wheat bread and she has zero side effects.  You can learn more about natural yeast here.

As for this recipe, it is almost identical to Honey Whole Wheat Bread (my favorite sandwich bread), just with the addition of 9 grain cracked cereal.  I like the texture it gives.  You can use any cracked cereal you have on hand, or make your own.  I use this one from Thrive Life, because it is easily accessible to me.

There are a two things to remember when baking with natural yeast:

1) Rise time is significantly longer.  The initial rise time is anywhere from 4-12 hours, with the final rise time being 1-4 hours, depending on the room temperature.

2) Cooking time is generally longer and hotter than with traditional yeast.

Other than that, its the same as regular yeast.

9 Grain Whole Wheat Natural Yeast Bread

Makes 2 loaves

3 1/3 c. whole wheat flour

1/3 c. vital wheat gluten

2/3 c. natural yeast

2/3 c. 9 grain cracked cereal

2 1/2 c. + 2/3 c. water

Combine all ingredients in mixer and mix until incorporated.

Let rest (sponge) for 10 minutes.

Add:

1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. salt

1/3 c. olive oil

1/3 c. honey

Mix while adding:

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (or white flour if using half and half)

Dough should come away from the sides of the bowl and be wet to the touch, but not sticking to your fingers.  You may need to add up to 1 c. of additional flour until correct consistency is reached.

Mix dough for 10 minutes.

Move dough to large bowl and cover.

Let rise until double (4-12 hours).

Once doubled, roll dough out onto greased cutting board.

Knead thoroughly and cut in half.

Shape each loaf and place in greased bread pans.

Cover with kitchen towel and let rise until doubled (1-4 hours), or until dough is 1" above top edge of loaf pan.

Bake at 385 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 25-35 minutes, until well browned.

(Internal temperature of bread should reach 180 degrees when fully cooked).

Everyday Natural Yeast Waffles

Have you heard of the health benefits that come from using Natural Yeast?  For all of you gluten intolerant folks out there, I would highly recommend looking into it.  You can start by reading this post.  That is a very brief yet fascinating overview that will provide you with more information.  After that check out the link below.

As for me, I have been experimenting for MONTHS using the stuff.  This is by far my most used recipe.  I love waffles, and these ones do not disappoint!

   

Everyday Waffles {Natural Yeast}

Recipe from Melissa Richardson

2 c. natural yeast start

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

Combine all ingredients and pulse in blender (I use an immersion blender) until smooth.

Batter will be runny.

I have noticed that these take a little longer to cook than regular waffles.  I let mine go an additional minute in the waffle iron after my green light comes on.