Super Simple Artisan Bread!

Don't try this unless you want to be considered your hood's "baker". Friends could smell the bread seeping out into the street this afternoon! So obviously I totally had to share it. I love making other bellies happy!

If all things "homemade" bread scares you - then try this one! Say whaaat? Yeah, it's pretty much ditz proof. And get this! If want to eat it piping hot outta the oven - make the dough ahead of time and it'll stay good in your fridge for up to 2 weeks! Just bake a loaf when you need it. Talk about holy house of goodness. Uh, sign me up. Throw on a big pot of stoup (stew slash soup) to go with it! Mmm.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 T yeast
1 1/2 T Kosher salt
1 T sugar
3 cups warm water
6 1/2 cups flour

Directions:
In a large bowl combine yeast, salt, sugar, and water. Whisk until frothy and all yeast is dissolved. With a wooden spoon, gradually add the flour until all completely incorporated - you'll have a thick dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Cover with a dishtowel and let rise for 2 hours at room temp.

Remove the towel, and sprinkle the top of the dough with flour. With a sharp knife, divide the dough into 4 equal parts or 2 if you want large loaves. One large loaf will serve 6, one small loaf will serve 3. Sprinkle flour on your hands as needed to keep the dough from sticking. Form each portion into an oval ball and place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (seam side down). Allow loaves to sit for 40 minutes uncovered at room temp (longer if making the large loaves).

Preheat oven to 450. Fill a 8X12 baking pan with warm water and place inside oven on bottom rack (while oven is preheating). The water in the pan will create steam during baking (giving the bread a crusty exterior. Once preheated, sprinkle the loaves lightly with flour and make several cuts (criss-cross or slats) with a serrated knife. Place the cookie sheet into the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until golden brown on top! Serve warm with your favorite soup, pasta, or warm meal.