Friday, November 16, 2012

Peasant Loaf

We do a pot luck kind of Thanksgiving, and I'm always in charge of bringing the pies. A few years ago I discovered this wonderful bread recipe, and now I'm also responsible for bringing the bread.  With Thanksgiving just a week away, I'm busy baking.  I put together an apple pie earlier this week and froze it, I have 2 more to make and I'm on my second loaf of bread.

I wanted to share this recipe with you.  Although time consuming, it's very simple and makes a European peasant style loaf.  The best part is you can add ingredients to make just about any flavor and works well with white or wheat flour.  I could of let this loaf bake a little longer, but I like my crust a little lighter otherwise it tends to get hard.


Peasant Loaf     

Time: about 1 ½ hour plus 18 to 24 hours’ rising

Ingredients:
3 cups
Flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon
Instant yeast
1 ¼ teaspoon
Salt
1 ¼ cup
Water

Cornmeal as needed
Directions:
1.  In large bowl combine flour,  yeast and salt.  Add water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky.  Cover with plastic wrap.  Let dough rest 18 to 24 hours at room temperature
2.  Dough is ready when surface is dotted with bubbles.  Lightly flour a work surface and place and dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold over itself once or twice.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest 15 minutes.
3.  Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking gently and quickly shape dough into a ball.  Generously coat a cotton towel (not terrycloth) with cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more cornmeal.  Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 to 3 hours.
4.  At least ½ hour before dough is ready; heat oven to 450°.  Put a 6 to 8 quart covered pot (a covered casserole dish works well) in oven as it heats.   When it ready, carefully remove pot from oven.  Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into a pot, seam side up.  Shake pan once or twice to evenly distribute dough.  Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake until brown

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