DUTCH OVEN BREADELICIOUS

My Grandma's Bread Recipe

       Most of my childhood memories were made in the kitchen with my grandma, especially in the winter months when beside crafts and cooking was not much to do. My grandma is the best cook and then my mom (I had to add this for safety reasons :D ). Early in the morning my grandpa would make the fire in the wood burning oven while my grandma made the coffee…and couple hours after, full of laughter with them and half of our street neighbors, the day started off with preparing meals and delicious recipes.
​So  many good memories  !
       Once a week with lots of love and lots of flour my grandma baked lots of breads. I remember how she used to give me a piece of dough and show me how to knead it and then carefully she helped me to place the dough in a little blue pan and then to the oven. Let me tell you I was thrilled and never bored !!!
       Bread was something I’ve craved ever since I’ve moved to U.S . I tried many recipes, asked around but not even once bread was close to the one my grandma made. Couple years ago I went back  for Christmas. I spent mornings with my lovely grandma, ate all her prune compote (back then I was pregnant and spoiled) and asked for the bread recipe. The recipe I'm about to share with you is very simple. Not fancy at all and easy to make. But before we get started I wanna share with you one more thing.
       One day I asked myself what makes a recipe good ??? I mean gooood !!!  Are the ingredients ? The recipe itself ? The process? The taste only?... I meditate on this and soon enough after making my grandma’s bread recipe the answer was clear and loud in my heart and mind. I made the bread and after taking a crunchy bite…I was back, back in time in my grandma’s kitchen ! The taste was delightful, just like home, just like grandma’s!
       Moms let’s keep our daughters close to us while we cook! The good part in my recipe is the strong bond that was created between me and my lovely grandma. While cooking let’s build strong bridges, healthy relationships and amazing little ones ! ! !
​Let’s take every cooking experience to another level that will keep the recipe, the mom, the grandma,the children in our hearts forever !
​

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp of Yest
• 1 Cup of Warm Water
• 7 Cups of Flour
• 1 Tbs of Salt
• 2-1/3 Cups of Warm Water
• ​1/2 Cup of Sunflower Oil

1. In a mug add 1 cup of warm water and yeast, mix  with a small whisk. Sprinkle flour on top and let them sit for few minutes till the yeast is activated.

​2. Shift the flour in a big bowl add the salt the activated yeast. Start to  knead adding slowly the other 2- 1/3 cups of warm water. Knead for about 5-7 minutes. This is a very good exercise for your arms :) keep going !!! You can do it !!! 

3. After you knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes start pouring  the oil (I used Sunflower oil like ma grandma did but you can use Olive oil as well) and knead again for 15 minutes. Remember this is my grandma's bread recipe :)  But if you have a standing mixer with a dough hook attachment let him do the job. Follow the consistency and texture from the gallery and you are good to go (wink wink) !

4. Give the dough the  shape of a ball and place it in a big bowl (I found mine  here) or  just cover a normal bowl with plastic wrap. Then put it in a warm draft free place (I  put mine in the microwave). Let it rise for abut 50''- 1 hour, till the dough  doubled in size.

​Before...

After...

5. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  And place the Dutch oven pan ( with lid) inside, let it sit for about 10 minutes. Play a little bit with the dough give it a nice round shape and sprinkle over flour. Score the bread with a sharp knife. Let it sit for 10 minute .

6. Take the Dutch oven pan out, place the dough inside VERY CAREFUL !!!! That thing is HOT HOT HOT (don't ask... :D ). Place it back and after 15 minutes take the lid out. Turn the temperature to 400 degrees and let it sit till your house is gonna smell like fresh baked-homemade-bread and everybody is gonna go crazy !!! About  15 minutes till the crust is golden and your mouth is watery :D
Allow it to cool completly...(If you can) !

And then ENJOY !!!
I spread on mine some butter and honey just the way I used to have it...Just like home!
Back in my grandma's kitchen !!!