No Knead Peasant Bread

(copy cat from alexandracooks)

4 cups all-purpose flour (do not use bleached all-purpose)
2 tsps. kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tsps. active-dry yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
2 tbsps. butter, room temperature

In a large mixing bowl, add the flour . . .

then add the kosher salt . . .

and the sugar . . .

and then the yeast.

Whisk together.

Add the lukewarm water.  Mix until the flour is absorbed.

Cover with plastic wrap or a warm damp tea towel.  Set aside in a warm spot to rise (I placed it in my sun room where it was very warm today) for at least an hour.  If you have time, let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  I had time so I let it rise 2 hours.

In the meantime, butter two 1.5 qt. oven safe bowls.  Preferably Pyrex or any other glass ware.

After the dough has risen, use two dinner forks and punch down the bread

With the forks, separate the dough in half . . .

and flop each half into the buttered bowls

Loosely cover with plastic wrap (she didn't say to cover the dough and since I wasn't sure, I went ahead and did it).  Place the bowls in a warm spot (I used my stove top since my oven was heating up).  Preheat oven at 425F degrees.

Let rise for 20 minutes.  Gently remove plastic wrap and place in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes.  Turn heat down to 375F degrees, bake for another 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for 10 minutes.  They practically slip out of their bowls.

Don't they look fantastic and oh so good?!?!

Hubby wanted some Tomato Soup with his fresh out of the oven baked bread.  It did not disappoint.  I had some with my chocolate milk.  I had a bite a few hours better and I must say it was much better the 2nd time around.  The crust is crispy but the inside is so soft, thick and moist.  Indeed, it is much better than any bread I have ever made.  This one's a keeper folks.  Thanks Alexandra!  Please click on the link to her blog (at the top underneath the main image).  She gives a lot of background information behind this recipe.  Very interesting and informative!

Hope you had a great weekend and savored every moment!