Easy to make - nice and chewy!
1 cup very warm water (110-120 degrees)
3 tbsp honey or sugar
3 tbsp yeast
Let this mixture “rest” for 5 minutes after briefly mixing on “momentary” speed.
Now add in to the mixture in the mixer bowl:
2 cups very warm water (110-120 degrees)
3 cups unbleached bread flour
More unbleached flour will be used in the next step.
Mix until ingredients are combined with the mixer on a low speed. Now begin adding up to 5 more cups of unbleached bread flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough begins to clean away from the sides of the mixer bowl and gather in a ball. You may need a little more or a little less flour. Dough should be soft and workable and not heavy or tough. Do not add TOO much flour.
Knead on medium speed for 6 minutes. Cover with a piece of oiled plastic wrap and let dough rest for up to three hours. Deflate by turning mixer on briefly and then remove dough from mixer bowl. Shape into 4 long loaves (or braids) and place on greased baking sheets. Let rise another 45 minutes. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes and then at 350 degrees for 30 more minutes. Loaves should be crusty and golden brown. You may mist the loaves with water during baking at 10 minute intervals to achieve a crustier bread.
