Reply #15: Heres a really easy recipe for peasant bread.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

It won't give you the big holes, but you can enjoy it while perfecting artisan bread.

Peasant Bread

2 cups lukewarm water (105 to 115)
1 package dry yeast
1 tbs sugar
2 tsp salt
4 cups bread flour
cornmeal for dusting

Mix together water, yeast, sugar & salt. Stir until dissolved. Add in bread flour.

Grease a large bowl with butter. Place dough & turn to cover with butter. Cover with a damp towel & let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Grease a baking sheet & sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough into 2 parts. Shape each loaf into an oblong. Do not knead. Put dough on baking sheet & let rise another 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled.

Preheat oven 5o 425.

Brush tops of loaves with melted butter & bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 375 & bake another 20 minutes.

Remove loaves & while still hot brush with more butter.