This Rustic Country Loaf is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, offering a hearty and comforting bread option. With its crispy crust and soft, chewy interior, this recipe is simple yet rewarding, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers.
The recipe showcases basic ingredients and straightforward techniques, allowing you to create a delicious loaf that pairs wonderfully with soups, stews, or as a side for your Thanksgiving feast.
Homemade Rustic Country Loaf
This Rustic Country Loaf features a blend of flour, water, salt, and yeast, resulting in a flavorful bread with a delightful texture. The process takes about 3 hours, including rising time, and yields one large loaf perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- Cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using, incorporate olive oil during kneading.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a cloth and let it rise for another 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a shallow pan of water in the oven to create steam.
- Bake: Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 1 large loaf
- Calories: 120kcal per slice
- Fat: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
