Easy Artisan Bread

This bread is so delicious and couldn’t be easier to make . It’s perfect for making in small batches and can even be made into bread rolls

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

In a large bowl mix the flour and water until it forms a shaggy dough then cover and let the flour hydrate 20 minutes . This process is called autolyse .

Step 2

Mix yeast with water then sit 5 minutes . Add the yeast to one side of the dough and add salt to the other side . Tuck in the salt so it doesn’t tough the yeast then begin stretching and folding the dough. Squeeze and stretch so everything is incorporated . Now cover and rest another 20 minutes

Step 3

Stretch and fold the dough 20 times rotating the bowl after every turn . The sough should start to have some structure . Cover 40 minutes then repeat one more time .

Step 4

Turn the dough out into a floured surface then divide the dough in half to make two loaves . If you have a proofing basket put the dough in the basket ( if not just use a large bowl ) and cover with a large plastic bag . Let this rest 3 hours .

Step 5

Heat the oven to 220 c fan then put a Dutch oven and heat 30 minutes ( I used a metal casserole dish with a lid as I dont have a Dutch oven ) now roll the dough into a ball and put carefully in the hot dutch oven . Cover with the lid and bake for 35 minutes then take the lid off and bake another 15 . This should result in a. Delicious bread with a golden crunchy crust . Leave the bread cool before serving and enjoy