Mike recently started talking about this bread Great Harvest made called Swiss Cracked Pepper Bread so we decided to try and make it. We found a recipe that had those ingrediants and made a lovely loaf of bread that didn't even remotely resemble the Great Harvest bread. Apparently, the Great Harvest bread was round with a chewy crust and large crumb with big air bubbles.
As I attempted to find a recipe, I found that the kind of bread he wanted is called rustic artisan bread and it is (used to be) impossible for mortals (non-bakers) to make because we need a steam injection oven (>$5,000). Luckily, just before I gave up, I came across an article in the New York Times which describes a method to create this wonderful bread at home.
At first it was still a little daunting because it takes 24 hours to complete but keep in mind, about 23.5 of those hours can be spent doing anything else you want while your dough rises. I made some this weekend and could not believe I had managed to create something so pretty and fancy and yummy. The recipe included with the article has a few simple ingredients. I added pepper when I first mixed it and chunks of swiss cheese when I folded the dough. I could not be happier with the results (although next time I will add more pepper). It was a gorgeous round carmel loaf with cracks and imperfections that make it look so deliciously home made.
Here is the list of stuff you need:
- Yeast
- Flour
- Water
- Salt
- 6-8 qt. lidded baking pot or dutch oven
Seriously, make this. It will make you feel like an Italian grandma, who doesn't want that?
