Published: by Absolutely Recipes, in the recipes category.

Crusty Homemade Bread Recipe.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 TSPs active dry yeast
1-3/4 cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)
3-1/2 cups plus 1 TBSP all-purpose flour, divided
2 TSPs salt
1 TBSP cornmeal or additional flour

Recipe Instructions:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
Using a rubber spatula, stir in 3-1/2 cups flour and salt to form a soft, sticky dough.
Do not knead.
Cover and let rise at room temperature 1 hour.

Stir down dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a floured surface; with floured hands pat into a 9" square.
Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3" rectangle.
Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3" square.
Place in a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.
Cover and let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough and repeat folding process.
Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight.

Grease the bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with sides at least 4 in.
high; dust pan with cornmeal.
Turn dough onto a floured surface.
Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6" round loaf.
Place into prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 TBSP flour.
Cover pan and let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2" loaf, about 1-1/4 hours.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 in.
deep) across top of loaf.
Cover pan tightly with foil.
Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes.

Reduce oven setting to 450 degrees.
Remove foil; bake bread until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes.
Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.

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