Pastor Ryan's Bread

I know I included the link to the post for this on the PW website in my post for the bolognese sauce, but I thought I'd go ahead and include the recipe.

THE BREAD

20 oz. of bread flour (all purpose is okay, too) - about 4 cups.
8 oz. of water (or 1 cup.)
4 oz. melted butter with chopped herbs of choice
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon active or instant yeast

Combine these ingredients all together in the KitchenAid stand mixer with the dough hook (it can be done by hand…it just takes longer).

Mix together for about 10 minutes or so until you achieve a windowpane with the dough. This is where you can pull off a small chunk of the dough you’re kneading and stretch it gently to see if it is somewhat translucent. If you can do this without it tearing, it’s ready.

Once this elasticity has been achieved, the dough can sit out with plastic wrap over it for 1-4 hours to double in size. After it’s gotten bigger, it should be kneaded for a minute or two so that the yeast can redistribute.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Cut a large ‘X’ into the surface of the bread dough so it can bloom!

Bake inside a covered cast iron pan after coating the rounded dough with olive oil and sprinkling with kosher salt. Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove lid to finish it off for another 15 to 30 minutes.

If you like to use a thermometers, we’re looking for an internal temp. of around 200-210 degrees. (The bread can get brown on the bottom if it’s too close to the heating element; if that happens, just slice it off with a sharp knife.

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The pictures of this look amazing. I'm beyond excited for dinner tonight. We really don't have much planned for today, so I think I'll probably spend a good chunk of the day drooling over the thought of dinner tonight. Don't worry, I'll wipe up any mess I make. ;)

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I didn't end up making the bread because I took a nap with the baby instead. Really, wouldn't you rather snuggle with the most adorable six month old baby and take a 90 minute nap instead of making bread? I sure would!