I love making this bread. I found this recipe about a year ago inside the covers of a Williams-Sonoma catalog. I love this catalog. It is chock full of all sorts of kitchen gidgets and gadgets, and I savor every issue. I even take it to bed at night for some great bedtime reading. Every page is earmarked with my hearts desire, and maybe throughout the year I may purchase an item or two, but of course never at Williams-Sonoma. I can’t afford that, but TJMaxx usually will have what I like. That leads me to my dutch oven. It is not just your regular pan, but a “Le Crueset” royal blue 5 1/2 qt. beauty. This pan is what was being advertised on the pages of the Williams-Sonoma catalog when I found this amazing recipe. The pan turns the bread making into magic. Now, I have since learned that you don’t have to have a brilliantly colored $300 enameled pan, (but it sure does make it fun!) but a trusty, rusty black cast iron dutch oven that is hiding in your camping gear does the same trick. It just has to be a cast iron pot with a lid. After you make this bread you will feel like a champ. No one makes bread like this at home, but now you do. I know this may sound like a funny post from a girl whose husband bakes bread for a living, but we don’t make this kind of bread. This is the kind I would imagine you picking up at your little local European bakery. The crust is crisp and crunchy and chewy and the inside has lots of airy holes and tastes delish. Even my Macey’s class ladies loved this recipe. It really is quick and easy, (not counting the 12-24 hours of waiting) and you will become a bread rock star tonight. You have to be a little organized in the fact that you have to decide you’re going to make it a day before you eat it. Once you get that down, you’ll make it all the time. Let me know if you make it and if you love it is as much as I do. If you have a magic pan use it, (I know Lindi and Hollie do) but if not, use the rusty trusty one in your camping gear. You’re going to love this bread!!
This sounds amazing!! Can’t wait to see the pictures!! Loved talking to you yesterday. Miss talking to you more. Maybe I will get up to speed so I can join your 5am jogging session. TTYL!!!:)
OK So it looks as good as it sounded!! YUM!!!
Thanks for adding the pics! I need one of those high class pans. After (nearly) seven years of slaving over a stove I think I deserve one. ;o)
Now I just need to hunt one down at a good price, since I’ve never seen them at our local TJMAXX.
Ah lisa! You know i’ll be trying this for sure this week. It’s so simple and look so heavenly! I can’t wait! I’ll let ya know how it turns out!
I was wondering if you could be so kind as to share with us some your “add ins” exact ingredient amounts for this bread. I’m intrigued and would love to try the one with Montreal Steak seasoning, but how much to use exactly and do you put anything else with it? also the Roasted Garlic and the Asiago Cheese. Thanks!
Janice, I hope you get this. I can’t access your profile to email you so hopefully you’ll get my answers. I usually add about 1 c. of cheese, or dried fruits. When it comes to the Montreal Steak seasoning I use about 2 teaspoons. I’d use about 2 t. of any dried herb or seasoning. Really it’s just a matter of taste. When I’ve done roasted garlic I mushed up 4-5 cloves and threw them in. Be brave and experiment. You’ll love what you make.
Lisa
I’m a friend of Hilary (Smith) Jorgensen’s and I love your blog. I just made this bread and it was SO great! Thanks. Actually, I was so excited that I emailed my sister-in-laws to tell them about it and one (Lindsay Budge) said she made your recipe from your blog too. Thanks for sharing the goodness!
Do you leave this on your cupboard or in the fridge for those 8-36 hours of ‘resting’?
Dear Anonymous, sorry I just got your comment from moderation. I leave the dough out on the counter for the 8-36 hours. No need to refrigerate. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out:)
I have a magic red pot and will have my baking hubby try this. Love the idea of steak seasoning…