Welcome to the wonderful world of bread baking! There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating your own artisan bread at home. The aroma that fills your kitchen and the taste of freshly baked bread is simply unbeatable. Let’s explore one of the remarkable recipes from “The Art of Bread Baking: Artisan Bread Cookbook, Best Bread Recipes” and embark on a journey of flavor!
Artisan Bread Recipe
Ready to impress your family and friends with homemade artisan bread? This recipe will guide you through the process, step by step. Gather the ingredients below and let’s get started!
### Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- Olive oil for greasing
- Additional flour for dusting
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
- Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Shape it into a round loaf or your desired shape.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a cast-iron skillet or baking stone in the oven to heat as well.
- Allow the shaped dough to rest for about 30 minutes while the oven preheats. This will help develop a nice crust.
- For extra flavor, you can score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. This allows the bread to expand properly while baking.
- Carefully transfer the bread onto the hot skillet or stone in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Once done, let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy your delicious homemade artisan bread!
There you have it! A simple yet delightful artisan bread recipe that is sure to bring joy to your baking sessions. Grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bake some magic!
source: www.goodreads.com
