Artisan Bread in Minutes

1 1/2 tbs yeast
1 1/2 tbs salt
3 cups warm water
6 1/2 cups flour (white or half wheat and half white)

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Then place the lid on the bowl slightly cracked open. Let set on the counter for 2 hours and then place the bowl in the frig for up to 2 weeks. If you allow it to set the full two weeks in the frig you will have a light sourdough type bread.

Once you are ready to use it just take out the portion needed, cover it with flour so it doesn't stick to your hands and shape it as you desire. It's a free forming bread so you don't need bread pans but you can use them if you like. Otherwise place your bread on a lightly greased baking sheet sprinkled with corn meal. Then top it with a little flour and score it. Cover with a dry dish towel and let rise 40 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 with a pan of water on the bottom shelf to allow for steam creating that beautiful crust. Bake about 35-45 minutes.

Now this same recipe can make pizza, hot dog and hamburger buns, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls and lots more. You can mix cinnamon and raisins in the dough and make cinnamon raising bread, or cover the bread with nuts, cranberries, herbs, cheese, whatever you desire either mixed in or topped. You can make flat bread on the BBQ. Best of all you can always have quick easy bread fresh from the oven to make on hand all the time. Enjoy!