No-Knead Bread

Make something good.

1. 01

   In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt.

2. 02

   Add water and stir until you have a shaggy and sticky dough.

3. 03

   Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably 18 hours, at warm room temperature, about 70 F.

4. 04

   When the surface is dotted with bubbles, lightly flour a work surface or silicone mat and place dough on it.

5. 05

   Sprinkle it with a little more flour, and fold it over on itself once or twice.

6. 06

   Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest 15 minutes.

7. 07

   Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to the work surface and your fingers, gently and quickly shape the dough into a ball.

8. 08

   Generously coat a lint-free linen (i.e. not terrycloth) towel with flour.

9. 09

   Put the dough seam side-down on the towel and dust with more flour.

10. 10

    Cover with another lint-free linen towel and let rise for 2–3 hours. Dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

11. 11

    At least half an hour before baking, place a 3–4-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex, or ceramic) in the oven and preheat to 450°F.

12. 12

    When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven.

13. 13

    Slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot. seam side up. It may look like a mess, but that's okay.

14. 14

    Shake the pan once or twice if the dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes.

15. 15

    Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes.

16. 16

    Remove the lid and bake 15–30 minutes more, until the loaf is beautifully browned.

17. 17

    Remove the loaf from the pot and cool on a rack.