Folded Bread

Here's how:

• 1

  Mix the yeast and water. Then add the salt and flour. Stir quickly until everything is thoroughly mixed, and let the yeast rest for 30 minutes.

• 2

  Dip your hand in water, then grasp the edge of the dough with one hand. Pull the dough out slightly, then fold it toward the center. Continue until you’ve made a full turn. Repeat this step 3 times, 30 minutes apart.

• 3

  Once you've stretched the dough 3 times, let it rise for about 1 hour.

• 4

  Sprinkle flour on a kitchen towel and gently place the dough on the towel. Stretch the dough into a square, then fold the edges toward the center. Turn the dough so that the seam is facing down. Fold the towel into a loose bundle and let the dough rise for about 1 hour.

• 5

  Preheat the oven to 250 °C before the dough has finished rising. Place one baking sheet in the middle of the oven and a heat-resistant baking sheet on the bottom rack. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of parchment paper with the seam facing up. Place the parchment paper on the hot baking sheet and put a few ice cubes on the bottom baking sheet.

• 6

  After 15 minutes, open the door and let some air in. Continue to let air in about every 5 minutes until the bread has been inside for about 30 minutes.

• 7

  Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.