Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.

Step 2

Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms.

Step 3

Cover bowl with greased plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours. Making it the night before works really well.

Step 4

When ready to bake the bread, sprinkle seasoning and garlic over the dough.

Step 5

Heat oven to 450 F.

Step 6

When the oven has reached 450 F, place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Meanwhile, pour dough onto a very heavily floured, movable surface (parchment paper, cutting board). With heavily floured hands, shape dough into a ball.

Step 8

Cover with greased plastic wrap, and let it sit while the pot is heating.

Step 9

Remove hot pot from the oven, drop in the dough, and cover.

Step 10

Return to oven for 30 minutes.

Step 11

After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Step 12

Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.

Step 13

For softer bread, let bread cool for 5 minutes on a rack. Then, place in a plastic bag but do not seal.

Step 14

For crustier bread, let cool to room temperature on rack.