By Amy Story Larson

No-Knead Bread

INGREDIENTS

3 c. bread flour (could use part whole wheat flour, oatmeal, or flax seeds)

¼ to1/2 tsp. yeast

1-1/2 tsp. salt

1-3/4 c. warm (110° F) water

PREPARATION

> Mix together all ingredients, gently yet completely. Dough will look a bit rough, and that’s okay.

> Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm location for 12-18 hours to let rise.

> Once dough is ready, prepare a surface with plenty of flour, since the dough will be sticky. Use a soft rubber spatula if available to remove dough from bowl for placement on surface.

> Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter going into an envelope.

> Continue to knead the dough in this manner, then give it a healthy dusting of flour and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

> Bake immediately, or you can wait up to two hours to bake if that better suits your plans. A heavy pot with a lid is best for baking this bread.

> Preheat oven to 450 degrees, setting pot without bread inside to heat up. Once oven is fully heated, carefully remove pot with sturdy hot pads.

> Place dough, seam side up, into the pot. Bake for fifteen minutes with lid on, then remove the lid and bake another 15-20 minutes, or until bread appears to be golden brown.

Some swear that the key to the crust is to bake a bit longer than you might think. You be the judge. Another tip: don’t cut into the bread for 30 minutes after baking—although I’m not sure this is humanly possible, given the aroma and hungry people afoot.

NOTE: The most unlikely of us have been baking. I blame the pandemic, and also wonder what incredible new foodie ideas will emerge from this era. Not only food, but art, music, philosophy. Will a never-before-seen instrument be invented? Or will an obscure art technique reach the mainstream? We’ll just have to wait and see—akin to the waiting involved with this recipe.

Millionaire Squares

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. dark brown sugar

1 2/3 c. condensed milk

1+ c. crispy rice cereal

1+ c. unmelted dark chocolate

sea salt

PREPARATION

> Melt butter and sugar together, then add condensed milk, and bring to a boil. Stir until it turns to caramel.

> Place rice cereal in a large bowl and add 1/3 of the caramel.

> Press mixture into base of a cooking tin and chill for 15 minutes.

> Sprinkle sea salt over the top, pour remaining caramel on it, and allow to set.

> Melt the decadent dark chocolate of your choice and spread over the treat as the final layer.

> Allow to cool before cutting into squares and inhaling your creation.

NOTE: These will not last long in the pantry.