Seriously. This is probably the easiest bread I've ever made, and it's reeeaaally good. Serve it alongside soup or chili...use it for sandwiches or french bread pizza...eat it plain... There are lots of ways to enjoy this yummy bread!
Ingredients
1 packet active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups water (105 - 115 degrees Fahrenheit)
4 to 4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1. In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar over warm water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. With a wooden spoon, stir in two cups of flour until combined.
3. Stir in salt and two cups of remaining flour until mixture forms a stiff dough.
4. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough with lightly floured hands until smooth and elastic, kneading in enough of the last 1/2 cup of the flour to keep dough from sticking.
5. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled deep bowl. Turn to coat lightly with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and let dough rise until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 475 F. For best results (chewy interior and crusty exterior of the bread), place a dutch oven or pan filled with water in the oven to create a humid environment.
7. Punch down dough and form into a long slender loaf about 21 inches long and 3 inches wide (or, divide dough into multiple loaves).
8. Put loaf diagonally on a lightly greased baking sheet and let rise, uncovered, about 30 minutes.
9. Make 3 or 4 diagonal slashes on bread and lightly brush top with cool water.
10. Bake loaf in middle of oven for 30 minutes, or until golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer to a rack to cool.
