Basic Hearth Bread -- Try 1

There is nothing like beginner's luck to give you a false sense of confidence. Ever since I started using Rose Levy Beranbaum's The Bread Bible, incredibly yummy things have been coming out of my oven. After playing around with focaccia, brioche, pizza, and scones, I decided to finally try a hearth bread. That's Jason's domain. Last time I tried to make a hearth bread (the kind that is supposed to have a crackling crust and holey, chewy crumb) I ended up with something quite pathetic. But that was years ago. It was before I found Rose's book, before I learned to measure flour, before I got over my compulsion to improvise, and before I got over my fear of terribly sticky dough. I was sure it was going to be different now. But it was not to be...

I followed Rose's recipe for basic hearth bread to the letter and couldn't wait to taste my little loaf. But no holes for me :( It was also a tad bland -- easily remedied with a little salt. I'll have to wait for Jason, from the dough forensics department, for a proper hole analysis.