25% Whole Wheat No-Knead Bread

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This is a variation of the Basic No-Knead Bread, in which 25% of the bread flour is replaced by whole wheat flour, and the yeast is adjusted up since whole grain breads have a tendency to rise less than white breads.  (Jim Lahey found that he liked 25% whole wheat bread better than bread with a higher percentage of whole wheat.)  It turned out well, although it rose faster than I expected.  I started it about 4 p.m. and by bedtime I noticed that it had nearly doubled.  So I put it in the refrigerator overnight and had it finish the rise on the counter in the morning.  I baked it in the morning for lunch.  Again I did the second rise in a banetton.  I think the next time I will slash the top to help the dough expand more

300 g. bread flour

100 g. whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat, so the color is not very dark)

8 g. salt

2 g. yeast

300 g. cool water

Flour, cornmeal, bran, semolina for dusting.

The day before the bake, put the flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl.  Pour the water on top of the yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.  Stir with a dough whisk until well blended.  Cover and rest for 15 minutes.  Massage briefly with a wet hand to ensure that all the flour has been incorporated into a smooth and sticky dough.  Put the dough into a doubling container, cover, and allow to rise on a kitchen counter until doubled, about 12-18 hours.  When doubled, prepare a floured work surface, and remove the dough from the doubling container.  With floured hands form the dough into a neat ball.  Heavily flour a banneton and put the dough, smooth side down, into the banneton.  Cover and allow to rise until doubled, 1-2 hours. 

About 30 minutes before the second rising is complete, put a heavy oven-proof pot and lid (~5 quart in size) separately into the oven and heat to 475 degrees.  When the rising is complete and everything is preheated, carefully turn the banneton upside down over the empty pot.  After the dough falls into the pot, put the lid on and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove the lid and bake for another 15-30 minutes until the crust is nicely browned but not burned.  Remove the pot from the oven and with a spatula, remove the bread from the pot and allow to fully cool on a wire rack.

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