Here is the Easy Crusty Bread Recipe that T2 requested the posting of. This recipe originally came to my attention from SiFumar (Sandy) on the Bradley Forum and it can be found on the internet in several places with a simple search.
Easy Crusty Bread
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon yeast(Rapid Rise works for me)
1 1/2 cups water (355g)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours. Overnight works great. DO NOT REFRIGERATE!
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. Very sticky, flour hands. 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 (I have cut the uncovered time to 8-10 minutes). Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.
Can be doubled.
Add-ins:
1 diced jalapeno and about a cup of cheddar shredded.
2 Tblsp. capers, finely chopped & 1 c. sliced black olives
Here is what the dough looks like after mixing
Here is the dough after rising
And the money shot
Here is the long cloche I picked up to make longer loafs for easier sandwiches
And the loaves you get out of it.
