1 1/2 tablespoons yeast (I used instant yeast)
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In large plastic container with lid (I used a gallon ice-cream pail) combine water, yeast, salt and flour. Mix together well with a wooden spoon until ingredients are combined. Dough may be sticky. Cover with lid and allow to rise in warm place for 2 hours. At this point, you may place the dough in the refrigerator to use at a later time. There will be enough dough to make 3 loaves.
To make a loaf of bread:
With floured hands, scoop out a third of the dough (about the size of a small cantaloupe) and form it into a smooth ball, working the edges with your fingers and tucking it under until top is smooth. Place the dough on a pizza peel or parchment paper dusted with cornmeal. Cover and allow the loaf to rise for 30-40- minutes until double.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. I like to preheat my baking stone at this time as well. Add a small pan of water to the lower rack to create steam. May need to add water to this if you're baking more than one loaf of bread. I used an aluminum cake pan.
