Crusty Bread

I tried a new recipe today for Crusty Bread.  It was very easy and turned out great! 
I really don't have much experience making bread.

But I love bread. 
I love the way it makes the house smell.
I love the way it tastes warm from the oven with melty butter.
I love to soak it in my potato or tomato soup. 

So I thought I'd start with this super easy recipe.  Next I'll graduate to more complicated breads.

I found the recipe for this Crusty Bread at Simply So Good Blog.  She has lots of pictures of the bread making process....and the finished product.  She also has some recipe variations, which I hope to try next weekend.

CRUSTY BREAD
Source: Simply So Good

3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp yeast
1 1/2 cups water

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. 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 (remove the plastic wrap!!)   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.