Rustic Country Loaf

1. Mix Ingredients

Mix the all-purpose or bread flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, and water in a large bowl until a shaggy and sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.

2. Prepare Dough

After the dough has rested, lightly flour a surface and turn the dough out onto it. Sprinkle a bit more flour on top and fold the dough over on itself a few times. Cover it lightly with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.

3. Shape Dough

Shape the dough into a ball. Take a cotton towel and generously coat it with flour, wheat bran, or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place your dough seam side down on the towel, and dust the top with a little more flour. Cover the dough with another cotton towel and let it rise for about 2 hours.

4. Preheat Oven

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. At least 30 minutes before the dough is ready, place a 6-8 quart heavy covered pot in the oven to heat up.

5. Bake Bread

When ready to bake, carefully remove the pot from the oven. Gently slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. Cover the pot with its lid and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, until the loaf is deeply browned.

6. Cool Bread

Once the bread is done, remove it from the pot and let it cool on a rack. This cooling step is crucial as it allows the bread to finish cooking and the crust to set properly.