Baked Rustic Country Loaf

Steps

• 1

  Make the starter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the bread hook, combine 1 cup lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, the all-purpose flour, and wheat flour. Mix on low speed until combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for at least 2 hours, or ideally up to 16 hours for the best flavor.

  Ingredients

  • 2 Cup lukewarm water

  • 1 1/4 Teaspoon active dry yeast

  • 1 1/4 Cup unbleached all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 Cup whole wheat flour

• 2

  Make the dough: Stir down the starter with a wooden spoon, then add the remaining cup lukewarm water, remaining 3/4 teaspoon yeast, the sugar, bread flour, and salt. The dough will be a loose, shaggy mass. Let rest for 12-15 minutes, then stir it again; the dough should become more cohesive and a bit smoother.

  Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar

  • 3 3/4 Cup unbleached bread flour, plus more as needed

  • 1 1/2 Teaspoon kosher salt

• 3

  Transfer dough to a clean surface and knead, adding more bread flour as necessary, for 10-12 minutes, until smooth.

• 4

  Lightly grease a large bowl or plastic container with nonstick spray. Transfer the dough to the bowl, cover with lightly greased plastic wrap, and let rise until nearly doubled in size, 1-2 hours.

  Ingredients

  •  Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing

• 5

  Gently press down the dough to deflate, but do not punch out all of the air. For one large loaf, shape the dough into a round ball. For two smaller loaves, divide the dough in half and shape into two balls.

• 6

  Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and dust with cornmeal. Gently transfer the loaf or loaves to the baking sheet, seam-side down. Cover the bread gently with lightly greased plastic wrap and let rise until increased in size by about 50%, 45-90 minutes.

  Ingredients

  • As Needed Cornmeal

• 7

  When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 450°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.

  450 ˚F / 232 ˚C

• 8

  Uncover the loaves and score with a sharp knife, then dust lightly with bread flour. Place directly on the grill grate.

• 9

  Place the baking sheet on the grill grates. Close the lid and reduce the temperature to 425°F. Bake, spritzing the bread with water every few minutes for the first 15 minutes of baking, until rich golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F, 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the loaves.

  425 ˚F / 218 ˚C

  190 ˚F / 88 ˚C

• 10

  Remove the bread from the grill and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve. Enjoy!