From Laura Simcik
I love having fresh bread, but I never remember to make it in enough time to allow it to rise. This recipe is great because it only takes a couple hours to rise and bakes super fast! It doesn't hurt that it is also delicious!
Recipe for Peasant Bread
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups lukewarm water
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
Butter to brush on the top when baking and for the baking pans
Directions
Mix all the ingredients (except the butter for the top) in a bowl that will allow the dough to expand to twice the size. Flour should be completely absorbed and the consistency should be slightly sticky
Let it rise for 2 hours in a warm spot - cover it with a tea towel or saran wrap
Pre-heat your oven to 425ºF
Grease two 1-qt or 1.5-qt oven-safe bowls
Using two forks, punch down your dough, scraping it from the sides of the bowl, which it will be clinging to, and put half the mixture in each of the bowls
Let the dough rise again for about 20 to 30 minutes
Bake for 15 minutes at 425ºF.
Brush the tops with butter for a golden crispy finish
Reduce the heat to 375º and bake for 15 to 17 minutes longer or until golden on top
Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before cutting
Seriously the best! Especially when it is still warm.