Homemade Bread

You can classify this under the DUH file, but there is nothing better than bread. Break me off any piece of sourdough, tuscan, focaccia, whole wheat, or pumpernickel and I will be your best friend. Dipped in olive oil, smothered with hummus, or submerged in saucy meatballs, there’s no wrong way to consume it. And, do you know the best type? Fresh homemade bread. Let me introduce to you the best homemade bread recipe. Your friends and family will be so impressed!

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Combine sugar, dry active yeast, and warm water in the bowl of a stand alone mixer and let sit for about 5 minutes - or until the yeast starts to foam. If you don’t have a mixer, you can use a large mixing bowl and mix ingredients lightly with a spoon.

Step 2

Add your kosher salt.

Step 3

With your dough hook, put the mixer on low and slowly add your flour until it’s mixed in with the yeast. (If you're not using the mixer, knead the dough until smooth.)

Step 4

Turn off your mixer and lightly sprinkle a pinch of flour on the dough to keep it from sticking to the bowl but do not mix it in.

Step 5

Take a clean, damp kitchen towel, cover your bowl and let sit for 1 hour in a warm area of the house. After an hour, the dough should have doubled in size, if not, let it sit for a little longer.

Step 6

Lightly flour a cutting board. Once your dough has doubled in size, gently place it on your cutting board. (Tip: you want the dough as airy as possible, be gentle with the dough and don’t do anything to flatten it.)

Step 7

Now, this is where we shape it. Shape it into a ball and take each side and pull it up towards the middle. Keep doing this until you get it round.

Step 8

Lightly flour your empty mixing bowl and place your dough back in with the smooth side up. Grab your damp towel and cover it for another 30 minutes.

Step 9

While your dough continues to rise, pre-heat your oven to 460F and place your dutch oven inside (lid on) so it gets really hot – around 30 minutes.

Step 10

Once the 30-minutes is up, carefully take out the dutch oven, place the dough inside (right side up!) of your pre-heated dutch oven, sprinkle some flour on top, and place the dutch oven (lid on!) back into your oven for 30 minutes.

Step 11

After 30 minutes remove the lid from your dutch oven and cook for another 15 minutes – or until the outside is brown and flaky -- with the lid off.

Step 12

Let the bread sit for 15 minutes before cutting open. It will still continue to cook.

Step 13

Enjoy