Quick, easy, crusty bread

You can play with this recipe and add so many other wonderful things to your homemade bread. Some suggestions? Rosemary and Lemon Zest. Kalamata olives. Cranberries. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients:
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cups water


Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.  
-(NOTE: when you add in the water, make sure it isn't too hot or too cold, because it will kill the yeast! 120-130 degrees is best. )
-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.


Cheers, foodies!