Better No-Knead Bread Recipe

serious eats ^

[mylife]

I'm telling you right off the bat here, that as far as personal innovation goes in this article, there's not all that much. All I'm doing here is taking someone else's brilliant idea and breaking it down for you a bit, offering a few suggestions and other applications.

That said, I've never seen what I consider to be a really satisfactory explanation of the science behind the No-Knead Bread recipe, so I'm gonna try and fill that hole here. And what cool science it is.

In 2006, Mark Bittman introduced the world to a recipe from Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery, which had a whole bunch of home cooks opening up their Dutch ovens and exclaiming oh my goodness—I can't believe I just did that! It certainly had me thinking that.

The No-Knead Bread recipe became an instant hit, and, I'd be willing to wager, started off an entire generation of home bakers on an entirely new journey.

Here's how the recipe works: combine flour, yeast, and salt in a bowl. Add water and stir with a spoon. Allow to sit overnight. Shape into loaf and allow to rise. Bake in a preheated Dutch oven.

That's it.

[mylife]

Hmmm, lil jalapeno, some cheddar.. easy peasy..

[mylife]

kalamata olives... go wild yall

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Yum.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I make this bread ALL the time. It’s awesome. Makes great breakfast toast and is a great topper for French Onion Soup. Leftovers (if any) make the best crunchy croutons, and I have a baked egg dish where I add two slices of this bread, cubed, in the mix. Also makes a nice Bruschetta topped with garlic, tomatoes, fresh basil or pesto, herbs and EVOO.

It really IS this simple. And delicious! :)

[katana]

If you have the time and don't wish to get down and dusty kneading bread dough the usual way this is a great alternative. But all told, it can take roughly 14 or so hours from mixing to finished product. Similar timing to sour dough starter bread.

Best to bake in a preheated @ 450F Dutch Oven, covered for 30 minutes then uncovered for a few more, or a couple bread pans with one inverted over the other to form a baking chamber. The steam produced is how you get the crust.

[Red Badger]

I buy bread in these plastic bags at the grocery store. It’s no knead..............

[MV=PY]

Great explanation of the science and more.

Thanks for posting!

[Lurker]

I make this once a week at least.

3 cups flour.
1-1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp dry active yeast.
1-1/2 cup water.

Mix the dry ingredients and add the water. I use a Danish Dough Hook to mix it.
It will be a sticky mess.

Cover with plastic wrap tightly and leave it alone overnight. 18 hours is even better.

Preheat oven to 450 and put your covered Dutch oven in to heat.

Gently move the really sticky dough onto a floured surface and form it gently into a ball. Do NOT knead it. Transfer this onto some parchment paper and cover the dough ball with a tea towel. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes.

CAREFULLY removed the Dutch oven from the oven and gently place the dough ball with the parchment paper inside. Cover and return it to the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes.

Mine is usually done after 11-13 minutes but your oven may vary.

Carefully remove bread to a wire rack and allow it to cool before cutting. Yea, like that ever happens.

L

[mylife]

I believe the dutch oven is the secret here

[texas booster]

This article is a great find!

Will experiment with the recipes during the winter.

[mylife]

14 hrs but God does most of the work.

[mylife]

The steam produced is how you get the crust.

yessir

[mylife]

enjoy!

[mylife]

[mylife]

[Flaming Conservative]

I’ve made this bread in about 3 hours. It’s the wet dough that does the work, plus the quick recipe requires a normal amount of yeast. Of course, the fast type doesn’t have the more developed flavor the overnight type does, but it’s plenty good. Steve’s Artisan Bread videos have lots of recipes for both the overnight and fast rising types.

[Trillian]

I have leftover mashed potatoes from last night. That means it’s time to make potato bread.

[Trillian]

My leftover bread turns into super crispy breadcrumbs for fried chicken and pork. Better than panko :)

[mylife]

get busy!

[Faith65]

This sounds delicious!