Laurie Colwin's Bread

CTRmom's Note:

In her "Home Cooking", Laurie quotes "English Bread and Yeast Cookery" by Elizabeth David. It says "It's really a question of arranging matters so that the dough suits your time table rather than the other way around. The preparation time indicates actual hands on. Raising is not included.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 loaf

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1 1/2 cups stone ground whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup coarse whole wheat flour (or regular whole wheat flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt, heaping
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ (or corn germ)
• 1/2 teaspoon yeast (1/4 teaspoon if you will leave it overnight)
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup water

Directions:

1. In a large bread bowl mix the flours, salt, and germ.
2. Mix the yeast with the liquids. You may use more water than milk to equal 1 1/2 cups, if desired.
3. Pour the liquid into the flour and stir. The dough should not be dry or sticky, but tend to sticky. If too sticky, add a little more flour.
4. Knead the dough well, roll in flour, and put in a warm bow. Leave in a cool, draft-free place and go about your day.
5. When you get home, punch down the dough and knead it well. Roll again in flour and forget it until convenient.
6. Sometime later, punch dough down again. Give it a final kneading. Shape into a baguette, slash the top with four diagonal cuts, brush with water and let proof for a few minutes, if you have the time.
7. Bake at 450 for 30 minutes. Turn the oven to 425 and bake another 20 minutes.