Ed Behr'S First Fundamental Loaf Of Bread

1. 1

   Day One: combine first four ingredients in a bowl. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap. Leave on kitchen counter overnight.

2. 2

   Day Two: Add next two ingredients and stir to combine. Recover and let sit on counter another day.

3. 3

   Day Three: Put mixture into bowl of standing mixer with paddle blade. Add last 1/2 C water and 3 cups of flour. Stir on low speed until combined. Switch to dough hook; gradually add up to another cup of flour until dough just clears bowl. It is OK if it's sticky.

4. 4

   Dust with flour, roll around in mixer bowl, cover with a plate or plastic wrap and let rise until double, usually a couple of hours.

5. 5

   I use a bread basket dusted with rice flour for the final rise. You could use a bowl. Punch dough down, fold into a neat round and place seam side down in basket or bowl. Cover with plastic and let rise again, usually an hour and a half.

6. 6

   Place a cast iron dutch oven with an oven-proof lid in the oven on the rack in the middle. Preheat oven to 500.

7. 7

   Remove dutch oven from oven, take off lid. Invert dough into your hands, and VERY CAREFULLY lower/plop into hot oven. Replace lid. Place in oven and bake 10 minutes.

8. 8

   Reduce heat to 350. Bake 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven, take off lid, and VERY CAREFULLY remove bread. Cool on rack.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.