Wednesday, February 16, 2011

No Knead Dutch Oven Bread

What is the problem with carbs? Don't they know how delicious they are? Don't they know how they don't love me like I love them? I am SO mad at my neighbor Kristi (not really I love her to pieces) but she was babysitting my boy and she had a friend over who was showing her how to make this bread. Well, I should have never tried it but I did! So I RAN OUT to Wal-Mart and bought me a dutch oven (dang those things are so expensive, I got mine on clearance for $50) and whipped up- ok not whipped up it does take two days to make, but it is very simple. Here is the recipe if you are interested.

No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread

1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting. You may use white, whole wheat or a combination of the two.

1 1/2 tsp salt

Cornmeal or wheat bran for dusting



1.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the flour and salt, stirring until blended. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2.The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it. Sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.

3.Using just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the work surface or to your fingers, gently shape it into a ball. Generously coat a clean dish towel with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal. Put the seam side of the dough down on the towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another towel and let rise for about 1 to 2 hours. When it’s ready, the dough will have doubled in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4.At least 20 minutes before the dough is ready, heat oven to 475 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in the oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven and lift off the lid. Slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. The dough will lose its shape a bit in the process, but that’s OK. Give the pan a firm shake or two to help distribute the dough evenly, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect; it will straighten out as it bakes.

5.Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 to 20 minutes, until the loaf is beautifully browned. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.

A rainy day in Southern Cali...means lots of fun, wet clothes, and mud. We do love when we get to have fun in some weather.
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

Friday, February 4, 2011

Disneyland DONE!









This was the album I bought especially for all of our Disneyland trips. We had passes from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010- so we had A LOT of pictures. I worked on it for 10 hours straight a few Saturdays ago and then finished up last Monday! Whew... never thought you could have too much Disney... but I am glad it is all done!