Rustic Round BreadPhoto byGin Lee

How to Make Rustic Round Bread

This bread is delightful because it has a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. It complements soups, stews, chili, gravy, and dumplings in the best way possible.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups of warm water

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, kosher salt, and yeast. Slowly add in the warm water and mix until a sticky dough forms.

Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise at room temperature for about 15 to 18 hours. The dough should double in size.

After the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Do not knead the dough.

After shaping the dough, allow it to rest for another 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and place a Dutch oven inside to heat up.

Using a knife, create a couple of slice marks in the top center of the dough. Then carefully place it into the hot Dutch oven. Brush melted butter on the dough and cover with the lid. Bake for about 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when you thump the top of it.

Let the bread cool before slicing it with a bread knife.

Serve and enjoy!