European Bread

This bread is super super easy... you don't even have to knead it. The only catch is you have to plan ahead as it needs to rise for 10 - 15 hours plus 1 more hour. So you'll most likely want to start it late the night before and finish it the next day.

I took it to a Relief Society dinner tonight and I was asked for the recipe, so here it is girls! (It really is easy, though might sound a little different, so please let me know if you have any questions.) I think I'm going to try adding some rosemary and garlic next time and I'll update the recipe if it turns out to be a success;)

*Note: I cooked the bread in the picture a little longer than I'd planned (that's what happens when you're trying to do too many things at once) so it's a little darker than I like!

European Bread
6 cups flour
1 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp SAF instant yeast
3 1/4 cups water

Using a big spoon mix all ingredients together, but be careful not to overmix. Mix only until the flour has absorbed all the water (maybe 20 stirs). You will still be able to see some flour that's not quite mixed in.

Cover with saran wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 hours. Do not let the dough sit for more than 15 hours.

Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper and four circles of corn meal or wheat hearts (hot cereal).

Sprinkle flour generously on the counter and scrape dough out of the bowl with a spatula letting it plop on the counter. Cut the dough into 4 portions and then gather up the sides of the dough to a stem (kind of like a balloon). Put flour on your hands and flop it over onto the cookie sheet. Cover with saran wrap and let it rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the temperature down to 450 degrees. Bake for 35 minutes or until brown (golden brown is not dark enough).

Remove bread from the oven and let it cool completely before covering it (or the crust will turn soft).

*Note: Do not let the dough rise for more than 15 hours!

*Note: Make sure to use parchment paper and NOT wax paper as the wax paper will not hold up to the high heat.