No-Knead Artisan Bread
From Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, not my creation.
need:
1 1/2 tbsp yeast (Any type of yeast works; apparently, it doesn't really make a difference in this recipe. I've been using active dry [granulated] yeast, and it seems to be working.)
1 1/2 tbsp coarse (kosher) salt (Finer salt, like tabletop salt, can be used, too. Use 3/4 of the amount if you use finer.)
6 1/2 cups flour (Unbleached all-purpose is best.)
3 cups of lukewarm water (About 100F.)
some cornmeal
do:
Mix yeast and salt in the lukewarm water in your largest bowl. Stir in the flour and mix until there are no dry patches. Cover (but not airtight) and let it rise at room temperature for at least 2 hours, but longer is fine. This dough will rise like crazy, so make sure your bowl is big enough or it may spill over the edge! After it's risen, sprinkle the dough with flour and cut off a chunk about the size of a grapefruit.
Keep the rest of the dough in a not-airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. According to others who have used this recipe, the longer the dough is in the fridge, the more it will be sourdough-like.
Use enough flour to prevent the dough for sticking to your hands, and believe me, it will. Stretch the surface of the dough to around to the bottom while turning it to form a ball. Sprinkle your baking tray with cornmeal and place the dough on top of it. The cornmeal prevents the bread from sticking to the tray. Let the dough rest for 20 minutes or so. Preheat the oven to 450F and place an empty broiler tray on the bottom rack (or the bottom of the oven itself). I just used a baking tray with raised edges. After the 20 minutes, dust the dough with flour and slash the top with a knife to make a criss cross or scalloped pattern. Put the dough in the oven and quickly pour 1 cup of hot water in the broiler tray. Close the oven door as soon as you can to keep as much steam in as possible. Bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is a nice brown and firm to the touch.
When using dough that has been in the fridge, let it rest for longer than 20 minutes.