You've probably noticed recipes like this floating around on Pinterest. They claim that you can make an easy, no-knead, crusty bread in a dutch oven; that it takes no effort; and that the bread ends up beautiful. You've probably been skeptical.
I'm here to tell you that it's real. This completely idiot-proof recipe really works. And I can be a big idiot sometimes; I accidentally put my dough in the fridge to rise, and I still didn't screw it up! (Though I wouldn't recommend you do the same).
The basic facts of this recipe are that you stir together some flour, salt, yeast, and water, and let it rise overnight. Then you pat the dough with flour, and bake the dough in a dutch over (or lidded iron skillet). That's it.
You don't even need to butter the dish or line it with wax paper; the flour keeps the dough from sticking.
I let mine rise overnight, and had it with a schmear of pumpkin butter for Sunday breakfast. But the recipe is so simple, that you could really make the dough before work on a weekday morning, and then bake the bread and have it with dinner that night.
This recipe is detailed on a bunch or other blogs, so I won't bother copying it out here, but instead will give you links to the two sources I found to be most helpful. This one give a short, no-frills summary of steps, while this one goes into lots of detail, answers questions, and gives a few variation ideas.
