Country Bread

1. Place the ingredients in a mixing bowl and knead into an elastic dough in a few minutes (easy with a stand mixer or by hand).

2. Cover and let it rest for 25 minutes.

3. Shape the dough into a loaf. Round it, then after a 3-minute rest, shape it long or place it in a baking tin.

4. Place the shaped loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or in a baking tin), brush the surface with water, then, depending on your kitchen temperature, cover it and let it rest for 50–65 minutes.

5. After proofing, brush the surface with water again and score it with a sharp knife.

6. Place the dough in a preheated oven (conventional / top-and-bottom heat, about 220 °C / 425 °F). Once the dough is in the oven, reduce the temperature to about 205 °C (400 °F), depending on your oven, and bake for 35–40 minutes. After baking, brush the still-hot loaf with water.

7. Once fully cooled (3 hours), slice it and enjoy.