Artisan Bread

Artisan bread with a proper crusty crust can actually be easily made in a Dutch oven! Perfect for sandwiches or as a side for soups or stews. No need to buy it in an expensive bakery - let's get started!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
• a Dutch oven

Instructions:

1. Take a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast inside it.
2. Add the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until the ingredients are combined and turns into dough.
3. Then, cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours, until it has doubled in size and small bubbles have formed on the surface.
4. Preheat your oven to 450°F and place the Dutch oven (with a lid on) into the oven to preheat. This means that the entire dough will be heated evenly once it has been put inside it.
5. Prepare a clean and dry work area. Sprinkle some flour onto the surface and turn out the dough onto it.
6. Shape the dough into a ball by tucking the edges underneath, and sprinkle some loose flour on top.
7. At this point, before putting it in the Dutch oven, you can use a very sharp knife or clean razor blade to make a few cuts about 1/2″ deep in the top of the loaf.
8. Open the oven and carefully remove the lid from the Dutch oven inside it.
9. Place the dough into the Dutch oven and replace the lid. Why does the lid to the Dutch Oven need to be on while it bakes? The key to moist bread with a perfectly crusty crust is that it needs to be baked in a humid environment. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but it really works!
10. Bake for 30 minutes.
11. Remove the lid from the Dutch oven and continue to bake the bread for another 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Use a spatula to carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool.
13. Let the bread cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Now you can enjoy your epically delicious loaf of artisan bread! Mmmmm! It should be crunchy and soft and fragrant and delicious!