Ingredients: Gather 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, ½ teaspoon of active dry yeast, and 1 ½ cups of lukewarm water.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast. Stir in the lukewarm water until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will be sticky and uneven.
Cover and Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours. During this time, the dough will rise and develop flavor.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a covered Dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid into the oven as it preheats. Let it heat for at least 30 minutes.
Shape the Dough: After the resting period, the dough will be puffy and bubbly. Gently scrape the dough onto a well-floured surface and shape it into a rough ball.
Bake: Carefully remove the preheated pot from the oven and uncover it. Transfer the shaped dough into the hot pot. Be cautious as the pot will be very hot. Cover the pot with its lid and place it back into the oven.
Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the bread from the pot and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy your freshly baked, crusty artisan bread with your favorite toppings or as a side to soups and stews.