In this month's In my Kitchen video post I showed off my shiny new toy - Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
When it comes to me and bread baking it has to simple. If a recipe is too much work or has too many steps then I know I'm more likely to walk down the road to the bakery than to crank up the oven and whip out the flour and yeast. By far the simplest recipe I've found so far is from my new book.
I'd heard lots about it over various blogs but was a little bit skeptical. A couple of weeks ago I was ordering Nigella Christmas
That weekend I carefully read through the introduction and all the steps to make sure I was up to speed then set to work. This is how easy it is. Measure out the water, yeast and salt into a large container then leave them for 10 minutes for the yeast to start working its magic.
Then you measure in the flour on top.
Mix it all together then go and do something else for 2 hours.
I was amazed by how much it grew in that time. That's about the most work you have to do. After that you can tear off a piece and bake it or put the lid on, but not totally sealed and pop it in the fridge. There's no kneading, no proving just rip, fold and bake.
Over the next two weeks, whenever you feel like fresh bread you just sprinkle a bit of flour on top and rip off a chunk.
For my first attempt I made a standard round loaf. I just ripped off a chunk, folded it under itself on all four 'sides' then left it to rest for 20 minutes.
I think you're just leaving it to get to room temperature rather than leaving it to rise at all. The rising seems to happen in the oven.
You don't even need the oven to come to the right temperature. 20 minutes before you want to bake the bread (I leave mine to rest for 40 minutes total), you turn on the oven with a pizza stone in the middle and a baking dish in the bottom. To bake the bread, you slash it a few times and then slide it onto the hot stone. Quickly pour a cup full of hot water into the baking dish in the bottom of the oven and shut the door.
The water in the bottom makes the oven nice and steamy which helps the loaf develop a nice crust.
About 30 minutes later this is what you get. Not bad for a first attempt is it? Apparently the darker the crust the better the bread and even if it looks like it's burnt, because of the high water content of the dough, it shouldn't dry out. Don't totally char it though because I'm pretty sure that would ruin it.
With the basic recipe I made two little personal baguettes for a picnic lunch with a friend.
A couple of days later I took some breadrolls over to my grandma.
We sliced up another loaf for lunch. If you like bread with a thick chewy crust and tender dough with a hint of sourdough flavour you are going to love this book. I think it would make a rather nice Christmas present too perhaps with a bag of baker's flour.
I'm not going to share the actual recipe today because the whole book is based on the original recipe, so that wouldn't be too nice to the lovely authors but I wanted to show you just how easy and fantastic it is. Once you get the basics down you can make pizza bases, a huge variety of breads and then even delve into the sweet section like Chris's Challah bread.
Just so you know, I have no affiliation with the book at all I just like to share things I love.
What about you? Do you bake bread at home? Have you tried Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day?
Sharon says
the book and the bread both look fantastic...might see if it's avail on the book depository...you don't pay postage via there.
Claire says
It probably is Sharon. It's a great book!
Sharon says
Claire I note that they have the basic recipe on their website. I am sure the book has loads of extension recipes. I saw two versions on the website..the basic and one for the croc pot. I think it was artisanbreadinfive.com . I'm still getting the book.....I want all the other ideas as well
Claire says
Thanks Sharon I'm glad they're sharing because it's a brilliant recipe. Definitely still worth buying the book. Good luck!
Melissa Loh says
I am definitely getting a copy of that book. That looks so much easier than my attempts at making sourdough at home.
Claire says
It's such a good book Melissa and really good instructions too.
Jo Smith says
All of your bread looks awesome, Claire. I've been baking sourdough for 6 months and it gives me such satisfaction. This looks great for everyday baking - my brother is looking for Christmas gift ideas and I just might suggest....
Claire says
I'd love to make sourdough Jo but I'm just not good at keeping the starter alive. I might be able to manage now I'm a little bit more skilled at bread baking. Great gift idea!
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I'm trying to eat less bread.. but when I do, I want it to be great bread.. and this homemade recipe looks fantastic! I am adding this one to my Christmas list:)
Claire says
Oh yes there's no point wasting your bread allowance on boring bread. Make it yourself!
Glamorous Glutton says
Fabulous looking bread with a really crispy crust. A very inspiring sounding book. GG
Claire says
It is indeed GG!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That no knead bread is to die for and it's wonderful to smell it baking. Now if we could bottle the aroma of bread baking as a perfume I think we'd be on to something. Who could resist us?
Claire says
Oh Maureen what a great idea! Imagine all the fun we'd have creating it too. Yum!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Bravo, bravo Claire, your bread looks fantastic! Slice me a piece please. and toast it with butter and jam. Oh, but I'm sure one slice would never do!
Claire says
I'll do you a deal Chris... you send me one of those delicious buns you made and I'll make you a whole loaf!
Hotly Spiced says
Beautiful looking bread, Claire. What a great cookbook. I'm all inspired. I should order a copy myself! xx
Claire says
Yes Charlie it would be great for you with your hungry teenagers!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Your bread looks so good! And there's nothing like baking fresh bread and the amazing smell :)
Claire says
Nope not a lot beats that smell!
Kirsty says
I absolutely adore baking my own bread too Claire. Although I am a sucker for real sourdough and I may feel a bit like a traitor if I traded in my sourdough mother for dry yeast. Either way, I'm all for people baking their own bread instead of buying the nasty preservative laden store bought ones. This book would be handy for when I decide to bake bread for hubby though, he only likes white & fluffy!
Claire says
Oh yes if I could keep sourdough alive then I'd be all for it but I'm just not careful enough. Haha my dad is like that. I think further on from the basic recipe there is a fluffier version. This one might be a bit too crusty for his liking. It's such a simple way to make bread though and so satisfying.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
What?! Who knew it was that easy! Those loaves look amazing, I'd be eating bread all day long!
Claire says
It is that easy Stephanie! The best part of having the dough in the fridge is you can think... hmm I'd love a roll with my lunch and an hour later... fresh bread!