Artisan Bread

3cups warm water

2 tbsps yeast

1tbsp coarse salt

6 1/2 cups flour. You can use whole wheat as well

Soak yeast in 1 cup warm water until soft

Mix 3 cups flour in 2cups warm water and then add yeast mixture . Add rest of flour and mix in bowl. Let sit in bowl overnight or up to 2 weeks . Put in cool place or fridge . Make sure the container hasa lid and is big enough for it to rise .

When ready to use cut off a piece and shape.

Don't use bread pans. Can be shaped into oval round loaf .

I have made 2 oval loaves and put them on my large cookie sheet on parchment. Let rise for 40 minutes . Heat oven to 450. Place pan of water on bottom rack . Bake for 30 minutes and do not open oven until time is up . If it looks too pale I have added another 5 minutes.

You can add whatever you like to the dough. Olives garlic cheese raisins spices nuts onions sun dried tomatoes nuts you get the idea