Crusty Homemade Bread - With Variations
photo by Bonnie G #2

- Ready In:
- 1hr 10mins
- Ingredients:
- 6
- Yields:
-
1 round loaf
- Serves:
- 16
ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1⁄3 cups water
- 3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal or 1 tablespoon additional flour
directions
-
BASIC:
- In small bowl, dissolve yeast in wter.
- In large bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups flour and salt.
- Using rubber spatula add yeast mixture, stirring just until smooth (dough will be sticky). DO NOT knead.
- Cover with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature 1 hour.
- Punch down dough.
- Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
- Pat into a 9" square.
- Fold dough into thirds, forming a 3" square.
- Turn dough over; place in a greased bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
- Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight.
- Line Bottom of a disposable foil rosting pan with parchment paper.
- Dust with cornmeal.
- Turn dough onta floured surface.
- Knead gently 8 times; shape into a 6" round lof.
- Place in prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 Tablespoon of flour.
- Cover pan with plastic wrap; let rise at room temperature until dough expands in size to a 7 1/2: loaf, bout 1 1/4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 500. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4" deep) across top of loaf.
- Cover pan tightly with foil.
- Bake on lowest oven rack for 25 minutes.
- Reduce oven setting to 450.
- Remove foil; bake 25-30 minutes longer or until deep golden brown.
- Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.
-
CHEDDAR CHEESE Variation:
- Prepare bread dough as directed.
- Before kneading dough in Step 4, sprinkle with 4 ounces diced sharp cheedar cheese.
-
CRANBERRY n ORANGE Variation:
- Prepare bread dough as directed.
- Before Kneading dough in Step 4 sprinkle with 1 cup dried cranberries and 4 teaspoons grated orange peel.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
<p>As of 6-14-2013 DH will be completing his tour in Trinidad, which has been a wonderful adventure; and returning home to Dayton, WA. We'll miss all our friends and time there, but looking forward to enjoying home life on the ranch for awhile, while we see what the next adventure might bring.</p>
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