"instant" rye bread

How To Make "instant" rye bread

• Step 1
  The method used here is a variation of no-knead called "Stretch-and-Fold." Although the bread takes several hours, start to finish, it requires very little effort or attention and NO KNEADING!
• Step 2
  Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix THOROUGHLY with a whisk or spoon.
• Step 3
  Add the water and stir with a spoon or your fingers until a very sticky dough results and all the dry ingredients have been incorporated. Bring the dough into a rough ball in the center of the bowl.
• Step 4
  Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let sit one hour.
• Step 5
  Oil a clean surface, such as a counter, and oil your hands. Pull the sticky dough out on to the counter and press/stretch into a rectangle about 11" x 14". If you see or feel any still dry crumbs of flour pinch them to break them up.
• Step 6
  Fold the rectangle in thirds as you would a piece of paper to go in an envelope. Then fold in thirds the other way. Put the resulting folded dough back in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit a second hour.
• Step 7
  Repeat the "stretch and fold" of the dough a second time. Cover and let sit a third hour.
• Step 8
  Shape the dough into a neat loaf shape by flattening into a rectangle about 8" x 11" and then rolling up to make an 8" long roll. Seal the ends by turning under and squeezing.
• Step 9
  Optionally, roll the dough in additional caraway seed, rye flakes, or cornmeal.
• Step 10
  Let the shaped loaf sit 30 minutes to proof while you preheat the oven to 325F. Just before putting the loaf in the oven, slash its top with a sharp knife to allow it to continue to rise as it bakes ("oven spring").
• Step 11
  Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is between 200F and 210F. If the internal temperature is less than 200F, the middle of the bread will be gummy.
• Step 12
  BAKING CHOICES: I usually bake this bread on parchment paper and pre-heated quarry tiles. You can put it in a greased and floured loaf pan or on a baking sheet covered in corn meal. If you have good, modern, stick-free pans, it won't stick. If your pans are like mine (old and beat up) it may stick like concrete.
• Step 13
  Cool thoroughly before slicing or storing.
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!