You must make this.

Man cannot live by bread alone, Ooh, I think you find I can. Look at this loaf I made today doesn't it look artisan, handmade, hand loved and totally delicious.  

I recently bought a Kitchen aid. They come in these gorgeous colours. Anyway, kitchen aid has a dough hook amongst other things and I for one was going to give it a whirl. I used the hook, proved my bread twice and baked.I must say I was very disappointed . I can't blame the machine it does knead the bread very nicely and as my hands are aching it is a very helpful thing, but for me, this bread was just lacking.

 

From the off shot the dough did not smell yeasty enough for me. It is always the unmistakable smell of fresh baked bread that has me running to the bakery at the end road . My loaf just didn't give off that aroma . When baked the crust and crumb was all wrong I like a rustic looking loaf  a bit like my men haha ,with a broken rugged crust.None of this plastic wrapped stuff for me however I will admit that I'm not adverse to the odd bacon sandwich on plastic white bread with butter and brown sauce .Yummy.

 

 I do get rather obsessed with getting things right. I'm the woman who will unravel that second sleeve even if I have finished it , if I spot  a mistake .However, long it takes it just has to be right.

 

A bit of research on internet and I was intrigued with a NO KNEADING BREAD that was doing the rounds.Simply put all the ingredients flour, yeast , salt, tepid water, in a bowl combine together and cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to rise for 12- 18hrs. You do nothing except weight it , combine it cover and got to bed.

When you get up it should look like this full of holes.
You need to heat your oven and your cooking vessel, heat them both up for 30 minutes. You need a very hot oven 230, and a suitable pot/substantial dish with a lid. I have a Le Creuset . The recipe says you do not have to use enamel covered cast iron pot ,you can use anything that has a lid that can take the heat .I think Pyrex might work.

Now flour your work area liberally, Scrape your dough out of the bowl. It will by floppy and sticky and wet.This dough is sticky as hell, so get a bowl of hot soapy water ready for your hands before you tackle this sticky mass. Flour your hands, and gently shape the dough into a smooth ball. The idea is not to knead you are only shaping into a boule shape ( I love that word boule.)

Cover it with clingfilm and leave it rest for 30 mins while your oven and casserole pot heat up.

After 30 mins, the dough can go into the casserole pot. Place dough in, it'll lose it's shape a bit, but don't worry. It'll be fine.
Put the lid on and put the pot straight back into the hot oven.
Put your timer on for  30 minutes , then remove the lid and put back into oven for 15 more minutes. that's is .I swear you will have a gloriously crusty loaf that will make your heart sing with joy, only if you love bread like I do.

Additional info
This dough can be left to prove for 24hrs and it suffers no ill effects.
You don't need to oil the pan I've made this a few times now and the loaf  never sticks, it comes out fine.
Add toppings I made  a second loaf with nigella seeds .Im going to try adding cheese and onions, yum .Id like too make a black olive and rosemary loaf .
Walnut
I might try pecan and maple syrup
sweet potato, rosemary
I'm seriously going to play around with this It is the most amazing thing I have found on the internet,
The list is endless Im so excited to share this with you
The original idea comes from this fabulous blog .Her son is so beautiful.

Recipe
400g strong white bread flour
1/2 teaspoon instant or active dried yeast
1 tsp sea salt
330ml tepid water.

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave for 12-18 hours in a moderately warm place.
You need a casserole pot or pyrex dish, something with a lid that will withstand high heat.
Oven temp is hot! 450F / 230C / Gas 8
Heat the oven and the pot for 30 mins before the bread goes in.
Shape the dough into a ball, cover with clingfilm and and leave it to rest for the 30mins it takes to heat the oven and pot.
Bake for 30mins, remove the lid, bake for a further 15 mins. Remove to a wire wrack to cool slightly