Easy Fougasse Loaf - cooking recipe

Ingredients

.75 oz fresh yeast
4 1/3 cups white bread flour
2 tsp salt

Preparation

Crumble the yeast over 2/3 cup of lukewarm water (105\u00b0F-110\u00b0F) and leave to stand for 15 minutes until frothy. Put the flour and salt in a bowl and add the yeast mixture and an additional 3/4 cup lukewarm water. Mix until dough forms.
Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a cool place for about 45-60 minutes until doubled in size.
Grease a large baking sheet. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and flatten until roughly square in shape. Cut diagonally across with a knife and transfer to the baking sheet, spacing the pieces well apart. Make several slits across each piece of dough with a knife and separate slightly with your fingers. Cover loosely with a tea towel and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400\u00b0F. Place a roasting pan on the lowest oven shelf and add 1/2 inch of boiling water. Bake the bread on the top rack of the oven for about 15-20 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.