When COVID-19 arrived in March I was amazed at the panic buying that was taking place in our local grocery stores. The shelves that were full of flour and yeast had now become empty and I wondered if all the people buying it up knew how to turn it into bread.
Having baked bread for my family for years I decided to share out a recipe that was simple for anyone to have success with on their first go. This way my first cooking video that has now led to a whole series of simple family recipes. We never know what opportunities come from disruption. The recipe for this bread is below and you can also follow along with the video.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of yeast
- 3-4 cups of warm water
- ¼ cup of cornmeal (optional)
Combine flour, salt, and yeast into a large (non-metallic) mixing bowl. Stir with a fork to combine.
Mix in warm water until the dough has a consistency of “very sticky peanut butter”. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and let sit for 12-24 hours.
A day later, remove plastic wrap. Scrape dough out of bowl onto a well floured table surface. Turn it over several times and then carefully place it onto a cloth that has been sprinkled with cornmeal (if you don’t have cornmeal than just use some more flour). Cover with another clean cloth and let it rise for another 2-3 hours.
An hour before baking pre-heat over to 450 degrees. Place a heavy large pot (cast iron, or Pyrex glass work very well, needs to have a lid) into the pre-heated over so it can warm up to temperature (about 45 minutes).
After the pot has been pre-heated remove from stove and take off the lid. Pick up dough by holding the four corners of the cloth. Carefully let go of one of the corners of the cloth when you have it directly over the pot and allow it to “fall” inside the pot. Replace the lid on the pot and place it in the oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes have passed remove the lid from the pot and continue to bake the bread for an additional 15 minutes.
Remove the pot from the stove with the baked bread. With a metal spoon lift out the loaf of bread then place onto a cooling rack. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before slicing into it. It’s just that easy I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!
To view my cooking videos you can visit my YouTube Channel YOUTUBE IN THE KITCHEN WITH JOHN and follow me on Facebook: FACEBOOK IN THE KITCHEN WITH JOHN For questions or comments you can email me at CONTACT JOHN
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