Inspired by the iconic bread and butter service at Eleven Madison Park, this recipe brings a gourmet touch to your home kitchen with a rustic, crusty loaf and a bright, tangy whipped butter.
FOR THE NO-KNEAD BREAD (Prepare the night before or morning of):
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt, and instant yeast until well combined.
2. Add the warm water to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix; just ensure all flour is incorporated.
3. Lightly grease a clean, large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the greased bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
4. Let the dough rest and rise at room temperature (ideally around 70°F / 21°C) for 12-18 hours, or until it has more than doubled in size, is bubbly, and has a web-like structure.
BAKING THE BREAD:
1. Lightly flour a clean work surface. Gently scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the floured surface. It will be very sticky. Avoid deflating it too much.
2. Gently fold the edges of the dough towards the center a few times to form a rough, roundish ball. Sprinkle the top lightly with flour.
3. Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a 5-6 quart Dutch oven (with its lid) inside the oven as it preheats.
5. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven (use oven mitts!). Gently lift the dough and place it into the hot Dutch oven. Be careful, as the pot is extremely hot.
6. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the lid and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden brown and crispy. For best results, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 200-210°F (93-99°C).
8. Carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This is crucial for texture; allow at least 1-2 hours.
FOR THE TANGY WHIPPED BUTTER:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, buttermilk (or crème fraîche), and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt.
2. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer with a whisk attachment), beat the mixture on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes, until the butter is light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color.
3. Taste and adjust salt as needed, adding up to ¾ teaspoon total.
4. Transfer the whipped butter to a small serving dish.
TO SERVE:
1. Slice the cooled bread into thick pieces and serve immediately with the tangy whipped butter.