Simple Artisan Loaf

This artisan loaf is a super simple bread that is left to rise overnight and ready to bake in the morning. You don't need to work with sourdough to have a beautifully crafted loaf. This recipe is perfect for those who don't have time to keep a starter on hand, or for those who are just getting started in the bread baking world. The beauty of einkorn flour is that it is an ancient heirloom wheat and doesn't require to be fermented for optimal digestion. You can bake this loaf using both all purpose or whole grain einkorn flour. I prefer the taste with wheat berries ground into flour. It tastes fantastic and looks rustic. This is the loaf featured on my home page.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water (105 F)

• 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

• 6 cups all purpose einkorn flour (7 and 1/2 cups wheat berries ground into flour)

• 1 and 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk the water and yeast until dissolved and creamy. Let sit 2 min.

2. Add the flour and salt, combine with a wooden spoon or stiff spatula.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let sit overnight (10-12 hours). The dough should roughly double in size.

4. Heavily flour a work surface and use a dough scraper to gently knead the dough 3 times. Working from the outside, in, take the dough and stretch and fold into the middle, working around in a circle. Once the circle is complete, flip the dough over and cup the dough in both hands. Rotate the dough in a circular motion to seal the loaf.*

5. Heavily dust a banneton basket with flour. Place the loaf seam-side up into the basket. Place a linen couche over the basket.** Let proof for 30 min.

6. Place a dutch oven in the oven, cover on, at 500 F for 30 min.

7. Take the dutch oven out and remove the cover. Place the loaf seam-side down into the dutch oven. Cover and bake for 40 min at 450 F.

8. Remove the loaf, uncover and return to bake an additional 5 min.

9. Let cool on wire rack until cool. Enjoy!

* I will do a tutorial on this method over on Instagram.

**If you do not have a banneton basket, feel free to place a linen couche in a small bowl, heavily dusted with flour.