DUTCH OVEN BREAD RECIPE

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and if you don't already have your full menu planned, I have a delicious and EASY bread recipe for you!

A few years ago, I shared this recipe on my blog.  And with the holidays coming, I thought this recipe was worth sharing again.  It takes very little work to make an amazing looking loaf of bread . (Do you still call it a 'loaf' if it comes out of a dutch oven?)

If you don't have a dutch oven, here are a few options:

Amazon has this dutch oven for only $31.99.

Or this cute red one from Target...

Once you have the dutch oven and ingredients, you're ready to start cooking!

DUTCH OVEN BREAD

4 to 4 1/2 cups bread flour {yes, you need special flour for this}

2 Tablespoons yeast {or two packets of yeast}

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 cups warms water

1 Tablespoon salt

Pour warm water over the sugar and yeast.  Whisk together lightly.  Let it rest for 10 minutes until it is a bit foamy.

In a different bowl, mix 3 cups of the bread flour with the salt.

Add the flour to the yeast mixture, one cup at a time {preferably using a stand mixer with a dough hook}. The dough will be a bit sticky.  Add the rest of the flour in 1/2 cup increments until the dough completely comes together in a ball.  It may not take all of your flour, though typically I come pretty close.

Let the mixer knead the dough for a few minutes.  Then place the dough on the counter and knead it with your hands for 3 or 4 minutes, or until the dough is smooth.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover the bowl with a damp dish towel.  Let the bread rise for 25 to 30 minutes. {Do not punch down the dough as it rises.}

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees, with the dutch oven inside the oven.

After the dough is done rising, lightly coat the top of the bread with some flour.  Then dump the dough into the dutch oven {I literally turn one bowl over and let the dough flop into the dutch oven.  But remember, the dutch oven will be hot from being in the oven. So don't burn yourself.}  Lightly coat the other side of the bread with flour.    Cut a few slits into the top of the bread, or an X or some other fancy design.

Cook for 30 minutes covered.  Take the lid off the bread and cook for another 5 or 10 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Remove from the dutch oven.  Let it cool a bit, then cut and serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar!

Enjoy some warm, yummy bread!

And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

jen