No Knead Bread

Today I decided to try my no kneed bread recipe again, but add spelt and use less all purpose unbleached four.  To my surprise it turned out better than I expected!  In the past while using this recipe my bread seemed to turn out flatter than originally anticipated - more like a chiabata (but without its yummy goodness).  The dough always seems too wet and unmanageable. Adding the spelt gives the dough more rigidity and structure, allowing for a more manageable product.  

No Knead Bread

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons active yeast

3 cups warm water

4 cups all purpose flour

3 cups spelt

1 tablespoon kosher salt 

Directions

In a large bowl mix yeast and water together and allow yeast to fully dissolve - this usually takes 5-8 minutes.  Meanwhile, in separate bowl mix remaining dry ingredients together. After yeast has been dissolved, add dry ingredients to water yeast mixture. Mixture will have the consistency of a thick pancake batter.  Dismiss the urge to add more water, as the dough will loosen up as it rises. Allow to rise for approximately 1-2 hours (or until it has tripled in bulk). Split dough into 2 equal rounds and place on a prepared pizza peal (place a piece of parchment paper on peal with desired anti-sticking agent ie, flour, cornmeal, semolina).  Let rise for 40 minutes.  At this time I pre-heat the oven to 425 degree and place pizza stone on the middle rack. I will also place a baking pan (something with edges that will hold 1 cup of water) on the bottom rack. After 40 minutes, score dough 3 time, and slide onto pizza stone - before closing the oven pour 1 cup of water into heated baking pan and quickly close the oven door. The steam produced will create a nice crunchy crust while leaving the inside of the loaf moist. After 20-25 minutes (when crust is golden brown) remove loaf from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing. 

Today while baking my loafs my stone broke in the oven!  Total bummer!  At least I have a smaller back up I'm able to use.  This stone has seen its last day!