Dutch Oven Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Pour water into a microwave-safe measuring cup and heat in the microwave oven for about 1 minute. Check temperature using a food thermometer to be sure water is no hotter than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Add yeast and agave; let sit until foamy, about 15 minutes.

2. 2

   Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture; stir to combine and knead a few times. Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, overnight to 18 hours.

3. 3

   Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead 5 to 10 times using floured hands. Shape dough into a ball and let rise while oven is preheating.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and place a Dutch oven inside to warm for 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Use floured hands to carefully drop dough into the hot Dutch oven. Use potholders to place the lid on the Dutch oven.

6. 6

   Bake in the hot oven for 30 minutes. Uncover Dutch oven and bake until bread is deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Remove and let cool.