Crusty on the outside and tenderly amazing on the inside! One of the most popular recipes ever published in the New York Times, this recipe comes from Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery. No special ingredients, equipment, or technique, just plain simple and delicious! Mix it up in the evening and bake in the morning or mix it up in the morning and bake it for dinner.
Give it a try!
3 cups flour
1¾ tsp salt
1/4 tsp instant yeast
1½ cups water
In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt, and yeast. Pour in water and stir until all combined. Dough will be sticky. Cover with plastic wrap. Let sit 12-18 hours, at room temperature (approx 70°). Dough is ready anytime after 12 hours when surface is bubbly and you are ready to bake.
Heat oven to 450°. Pour dough onto heavily floured surface and shape into a ball or oval (depending on your pot). Cover with plastic wrap and let sit while the pot is heating. Put *pot with lid* into preheated oven to heat for 30 minutes. There is no need to grease or spray pot. Remove hot pot from oven and drop in the dough (careful it’s HOT!). Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes. Remove bread from oven and place on cooling rack to cool.
* Use a cast iron pot, crock pot insert, glass Pyrex, any 5-7 quart pot with lid that is made for oven use.
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This turned out beautifully Kristen– I made this bread a while ago from the same NY Times recipe– but had forgotten it. So you’ve got me back on track. thanks!
Kristen, thanks for the recipe and photos. I am going to make this one!
Hi Kristen, Thanks for sharing this great recipe! I started the dough Thursday afternoon and baked Friday. Sooooo easy and delicious, and my husband LOVED it! Thanks again for an excellent post… really appreciate the excellent photos and detailed instructions.
Thanks Kathy, glad it worked well for you!
Hi Kristen, Posted a photo of my bread and link to your recipe on my blog… http://www.kathleenrupff.com/blog/day-885-a-photo-a-day. Yours is prettier than mine, but not bad for a first try! It sure tastes good… Thanks again!
Thank you for putting a link to my site! Love your blog. Beautiful work, amazing talent!
I’ve never baked bread like this before.. super easy and delicious! Have made it twice now…Thanks so much!
It’s great, isn’t it? I’m glad I found this recipe too!