Cage Free Monkeys

Works For Me Wednesday: Homemade Bread

Here's my favorite bread recipe that I found a friend uses also. It yields great results and is simple.

Makes 4 1 pound loaves


I cook mine in a preheated cast-iron dutch oven at 425 with the lid on-- it makes the crust super crunchy!
3 cups warm water about 100 degrees
1 1⁄2 tbsp granulated yeast (1 1⁄2 packets)
1 1⁄2 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt
6 1⁄2 cups unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose white flour
plus extra four to dust

1. Combine ingredients quickly and let rise for about 3 hours. No need to knead!


2. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Cut off a one pound chunck and let rise at room temperature for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat oven and cast iron dutch oven at 425 degrees.

5. Drop bread into cast iron dutch oven and cover. Let cook with lid on for 30 minutes.

6. Remove, cool and devour!

When good breads go bad

Heres the recipe but I will warn you all, I am making a secret second batch without the kids knowing right now. The yeast in the first batch was dead I think--it didnt rise and is as heavy as a brick. So I am attempting another batch and the yeast is active in this one.....
1/3 c organic honey
1 packet dry active yeast
6 cups flour--any kind i do 4c whole wheat, 1 c rye and 1 c oat
2 cups water, divided
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground fennel seed
1 tsp ground corriander
1 tsp anise seed
2 tbs wheat germ/flax seed/oat bran to dust top if desired