Freshly Baked Bread

I was amazed at how quick and easy this recipe for bread was.  No kneading.  No mixer.  No bread machine required.  Just quick, easy, homemade bread that would be delicious with soup, salad, pasta, or any homemade meal.  About 10 minutes of labor and after two hours your whole house will smell like delicious, homemade, artisan bread.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

4 1/4 cups of all purpose flour, plus a bit more for working.
1 1/2 cups of luke warm water
1 TBSP honey
1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp salt

Directions:
Disolve the honey in the lukewarm water. Sift the flour in a big bowl and add the yeast. Make a well in the center and pour the water/honey mixture into the middle. Mix briefly with your hands, adding the salt. The dough will be soft and sticky, and definitely not smooth, but that’s okay! It’s not supposed to be.

Sprinkle some flour over the top and cover the bowl with foil. Leave it to rise in a warm place for about an hour or so. (A good trick is to heat up your oven as low as it will go, then turn it off, and place the bowl in there)

Meanwhile, line a baking tray with parchment paper and sprinkle it with some flour. Preheat the oven to 430°. Yes, that’s right, 430°. Weird number, I know.

After an hour, transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it into 3 equal parts. Shape each part into a loaf and bake right away for 20 minutes. The bread will rise in the first 10 minutes.

After 20 minutes in the oven, lower the temperature to 320°, yes, 320°, and bake for an additional 12 minutes.

Cool over wire rack for at least 10 minutes before cutting, and enjoy!  Makes 3 small loves.