Rustic Italian Crusty Bread
This rustic Italian crusty bread is simple, hearty, and full of old-world character. With a chewy interior and a crisp, golden crust, it’s the kind of bread that pairs beautifully with soups, stews, or a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Made with just a few ingredients, this no-fuss recipe relies on a slow rise to develop deep flavor and texture without any complicated techniques.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon instant yeast
1½ cups warm water
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast. Add the warm water and stir until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. The dough will be very wet, which is normal.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. The dough should double in size and appear bubbly on the surface.
Once the dough has risen, lightly flour a surface and turn the dough out onto it. Gently shape it into a ball, handling it as little as possible to preserve the air bubbles.
Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and let it rest for 30 to 45 minutes while the oven preheats.
Preheat the oven to 450°F with a Dutch oven or heavy covered pot inside. Once preheated, carefully remove the pot, lift the dough with the parchment paper, and place both into the hot pot.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown.
Remove the bread from the pot and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not skip the long resting time, as it allows the dough to develop flavor and a chewy texture without kneading. Using a Dutch oven traps steam, which helps form that signature crispy crust. You can add herbs, olives, or roasted garlic to the dough before shaping for extra flavor. This bread is best enjoyed the day it’s made but can be revived in the oven if it starts to go stale.
Find it online: https://richspoon.com/rustic-italian-crusty-bread/