
There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a crackling, mahogany-crusted loaf out of a screaming-hot Dutch oven, especially when the ingredient list is this short. Four pantry staples — bread flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, and warm water — are all it takes to produce an open, chewy crumb and a shatteringly crisp crust that looks like it came from a serious bakery. For anyone navigating spice sensitivities, this recipe is a genuine relief: no spice blends, no seasoning packets, no hidden additives to second-guess. The long overnight rest does the heavy lifting instead of your arms, developing deep flavor through fermentation rather than any added ingredients. Baking the dough covered traps steam in the first phase, mimicking a professional bread oven and giving you that dramatic oven spring and glossy crust without any special equipment beyond a standard Dutch oven. Scoring the top before it goes in lets you control exactly where the loaf blooms open, so it looks as impressive as it tastes. Just be patient about the cooling time — that one hour on the wire rack is the difference between a perfect, pillowy crumb and a gummy disappointment.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, instant yeast, and kosher salt. Pour in the warm water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until no dry flour remains and a shaggy, sticky dough forms — about 1 minute. The dough will look rough and uneven; that is correct.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a plate and let the dough rest at room temperature for 8–12 hours (overnight is ideal), until the surface is dotted with bubbles and the dough has roughly doubled in size.
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