Very little effort is needed from you on this one. What this no-knead bread asks for is time. The finished product is crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside. Jam and butter on a warm slice is non-negotiable.
Ingredients
3 cups (750 mL) all-purpose or bread flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 tsp (1 mL) instant yeast (sometimes I use about 1/3 teaspoon regular active dry yeast)
1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp lukewarm water
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
Directions
In a large bowl stir together the flour, yeast and salt. Add 1½ cups plus 2 tablespoons water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a plate and let it rest on the countertop for 18-24 hours at room temperature. The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles.
Flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice, then roughly shape into a ball.
Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour. Fold it over the bread or cover with another cotton towel and let it sit for another hour or two.
While the bread is resting, preheat the oven to 450°F. Put a 6-8 quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and flip the dough over into the pot; it may look like a mess, but that’s OK.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake another 10-15 minutes, until it’s nice and golden.
