6 Ingredient Peasant Bread Recipes

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup water and yeast. Let stand until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup more water and sponge; mix on low speed using paddle, about 2 minutes. Add flours, salt, and remaining water; mix 1 minute more. Using dough hook, mix on medium-low speed, pulling dough from hook 2 or 3 times, until dough is soft and sticks to fingers when squeezed, about 8 minutes. Or knead by hand, 15 to 20 minutes.
• On a floured surface, knead dough into a ball by hand, 4 or 5 turns. Place smooth side up in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until tripled in bulk, about 3 hours.
• Turn dough onto floured surface. Flour top, and cut in half. Roll up one piece of dough lengthwise, flatten slightly, and roll lengthwise again. On an unfloured surface, cup your hands around the sides of the dough and move it in small, circular motions, until top of dough is rounded and bottom is smooth. Flour a piece of parchment, and place dough on it; cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap, then cover with a towel. Repeat process with second piece of dough. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 50 minutes. 30 minutes before this final rise is completed, place a baking stone or baking sheet in the oven and an empty baking pan on the lowest shelf; heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Sprinkle dough with flour, and dimple the surface with your fingertips; let rise 10 minutes more. Using a baker's peel or baking sheet, slide loaves and parchment onto the baking stone or baking sheet. Pour 2 cups very hot water into the heated baking pan to create steam. Bake until dark golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Starter: The water should be at room temperature.
• Combine the water and yeast in a small bowl.
• Let stand I minute, then stir until yeast is dissolved.
• Add the flour.
• Stir vigorously for about 100 strokes.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl then cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap.
• Place in a warm (75 F) place until mixture is bubbly (2 -10 hours).
• Place the starter into a large (6-quart+) bowl.
• Dough: Add the water and yeast to starter.
• Add 1 cup, of flour and stir until it is well combined.
• Add the salt and only enough of the remaining flour to make a thick dough that is difficult to stir.
• Turn the sticky dough out on a floured work surface.
• Dip your hands in flour then knead the dough by pushing it down and forward with the heel of one hand, then pulling back from the top and folding the dough over with the other.
• Gradually add the remaining flour as you knead for 15 minutes.
• Dough will be strong and slightly sticky and will spring back when poked.
• Shape dough into a ball.
• Return dough to the bowl that has been coated with olive oil.
• Brush top of dough with a bit of olive oil,.
• Cover with a clean damp towel and place in a warm place until doubled in volume.
• Deflate the dough, place on lightly floured work surface.
• Knead briefly.
• Cut dough into 2 equal pieces.
• Knead briefly.
• Shape each piece into a tight ball.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Cover with a clean damp towel and put in a warm place until doubled in volume.
• Preheat oven to 450 F and place oven racks to center of oven.
• Place a pan of water under the rack where the loaves will bake.
• Using a sharp knife score the loaves with cuts 1/4- to 1/2-inch deep along the surface.
• Place loaves in the hot oven.
• Bake for about 20 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 400 degrees F and bake another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1/2 hour.
• Brush tops with a bit more olive oil if you wish.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar. Add the yeast mixture and remaining water; stir until combined. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Stir dough down. Divide in half. Place each half in a greased 1-qt. round casserole or ovenproof bowl. Brush tops with butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Remove from pans; serve warm if desired.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Light or Medium Crust cycle; press Start. For a crispier crust, use the French cycle or turn machine off after first rise and start the cycle over.

TOASTED PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Put a sheet pan in the oven so that it gets good and hot.
• Place the bread slices on the hot sheet pan. Drizzle the bread with the extra-virgin olive oil bake for 5 minutes, until the bread is nicely toasted. Rub the bread slices with the garlic cloves, and discard garlic. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• Place the yeast and cumin in a large bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup of the water until the yeast is dissolved. Stir in the remaining 1 1/3 cups water. Stir in 2 cups of the flour and the salt. Gradually stir in the remaining flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Place the dough in a large, clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough, knead for 5 minutes and divide in half. Sprinkle a large baking sheet lightly with cornmeal. Shape the dough into 2 round balls, flatten them slightly and place on the baking sheet.
• Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake until the loaves are nicely browned and make a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom, about 40 minutes. Place on a rack to cool.

HERBED PEASANT BREAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook onion in butter over low heat until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. , Transfer to a large bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, herbs, yeast and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., Punch the dough down. Shape into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; brush with melted butter. Cool.