Crusty Bread

It looked much prettier the second time I made it.

**This recipe comes from simplysogood.  

It is absolutely amazing, so I am reposting for others to enjoy. This bread was very easy to make. I baked it in my Pampered Chef Covered Baker, and it expanded to take on the oval shape of the pan the first time I made it. The second time resulted in that beautiful picture above. I added about 4oz of shredded Gruyere cheese and a large sprig of rosemary. These ingredients were mixed in at the same time as everything else. If you like gorgeous pictures of food, you should check out this recipe's original site. Tonight I am going to try another loaf with shredded Parmesan and some of the leftover rosemary. This makes a great gift alongside a bottle of wine if you are invited to a friend's house for dinner. Everyone will be so impressed with your baking skills! Another important note- this bread is very filling which is great if you live with someone who eats as much as my fiance. ; ) 
 

 

Crusty Bread

3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon Instant or Rapid-rise yeast

1 1/2 cups water

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.  Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours.  Overnight works great.  Heat oven to 450 degrees.  When the oven has reached 450 degrees place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, pour dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating.  Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough.  Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes.  Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. 

*Use your best judgment when it comes to baking time. In my stoneware, the bread is fully cooked in 30 minutes. I do not put it back in to brown the outsides because they are already toasty. If you are not sure if the bread is finished, give it a good poke. It should not be soft. The insides are nice and fluffy, but the outside should be firm.