No-Knead Jalapeno & Cheese Bread

This dutch oven baked bread is hearty and cheesy with a nice kick. No kneading required so there's that, and only six ingredients are needed. Monterey jack and cheddar cheese were used in this recipe but many other cheeses would work beautifully. This recipe makes a large loaf of bread and you can freeze it whole if needed, or by individual slice. It's delicious toasted. Here is my recipe for pickled jalapenos if you'd like to make your own for the bread recipe.

4 cups all purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt

2 cups warm water

25 slices pickled jalapenos, drained & chopped, plus a few slices for the top

2 1/4 cups shredded monterey jack & cheddar cheese (1/4 cup for the top)

In your favorite stand mixer on low, blend the flour, salt, and yeast with the paddle attachment. Add the water and mix until well blended. Add more flour if needed. Remove dough from the mixing bowl and transfer to a large bowl lightly sprayed with oil. Cover the dough with a light towel and let rise for 1.5 hours. The dough should at least double in size and will probably get bigger.

Put the dough on a piece of parchment paper and fold in the chopped jalapenos. Cover the dough and let it rise for another 1.5 hours.  

Turn the oven to 450 and put an uncovered dutch oven inside. 

Sprinkle a little flour on a piece of parchment paper. Gently punch the dough down and remove it from the bowl. Sprinkle a little flour on the dough and shape it into a ball. Fold in the cheese. Put 1/4 cup of cheese on the top of the dough along with a few jalapenos. Sit dough on the parchment paper, cover, and let rest for 30 minutes.

Remove dutch oven from the oven. Carefully transfer the dough (while on the parchment paper) into the dutch oven. Just drop it in quickly! Cover dutch oven and return to the oven. Bake covered for 45 minutes, and then bake for 15 minutes longer without the lid. The bread should be dark golden brown. Remove bread and move to a cooling rack for about an hour before slicing.