Sometime last year the New York Times published an article about baker Jim Lahey and his recipe for no-knead bread. My mom sent it to me a few days ago and the recipe looked so easy, I had to try it. Nothing to lose, right?
My first attempt sucked bad because my yeast was too old. But after a quick trip to the grocery store and another try? SUCCESS!
The technique involves letting the dough rise overnight (for 12-14 hours) instead of kneading it. This works for me--I can mix up the dough at night, put it in the oven in the morning, and have fresh bread for lunch and dinner!
The inside is fluffy and full of air holes. The crust is so crispy.
Bliss!
Baking bread always intimidated me. My mom does it really well--she bought me a bread machine when I moved into my first apartment and I just never got the hang of it. The temperature's not right, the flour's not right...I don't know what it is, but the loaves never turn out well. This recipe is brilliant because you don't need to knead, shape, or worry. Just mix it up, let it rise for freaking ever, bake it, and it's perfect every time. You don't need any special equipment or secret culinary skills.
So I think...I've been really dumb to wait so long to bake my own artisan bread.
It's dumb to just buy it at the store and deny myself this pleasure.
Yup.
Sometimes I blog about this, sometimes not. Every Friday/Saturday, Dave and I go to a dance club. Gay, goth, whatever--we dress up and go dance. On Saturday, two of my friends met us there and they ALWAYS take photos. (I never do, hate bringing a purse.) Just wanted to share!
