i made my first batch with 1 cup of ww flour, 5 1/2 c unbl bread flour, 3 c water, 1 1/2 T yeast, 1 1/2 T salt, mix well, let sit 2 hours on counter..then refrigerate..i used a 5 qt ice cream bucket. pull off 1/4 to 1/3 to bake..use 1 c hot water in a pan in the stove to add steam when putting loaf in on stone or in a pan..or rolls.. allow cool bread to warm and rise until about double. preheat oven well. 450 for 40 min for most breads..20 min for most rolls..can reduce temp for smaller rolls to 350 but cook the 40 min. 425 to 450 for pizza..probalby most flatbreads as well. flour or cornmeal give a firmer crust..none makes a softer crust..experiment with flours and coatings..with flour..slash crust before baking

Hi Earl. You're preaching to the choir around here. Many of us make the Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day. If you do a search on the forum there will be many many threads mentioning it. It's rare a day goes by when someone doesn't talk about it. If you check out the what's for dinner threads, there is usually some of it shown or mentioned on each of those threads. If memory serves, the current thread has a nice hunk of it sitting next to some lobster bisque....mmmm. It's great and sure nice to be able to make a loaf any particular evening. Btw, it is considered a no knead bread. Thanks for spreading the word. We are right there with ya.

I agree, the salt is a flavor element. Add or subtract as you wish, it may take a bit of experimentation before you find the lowest possible amount of salt which still results in edible bread. Annie

Yes, I certainly understand your motivation. If it didn't work for me, I would not be writing, as I am. I am a very inexperienced baker. Are you using SAF yeast? I ask because, I don't know yeast from a television, but, an experienced, respected, inspirational baker on the kitchens forum has recently discovered that red star yeast does not always work and SAF always does. So to give me every chance of success, I got SAF yeast. I love the smell, too. I keep th e yeast in the freezer. I am so inexperienced that I researched where to keep the yeast. This baker also only uses bottled spring water. I still use tap water. The authors say kosher salt. So I use kosher salt. And I bought King Arthur flour, because bakers whom I respect use KA flour. Just trying to increase my odds of success in this goofy adventure. Linnea, these are only my thoughts. I have been lucky with abin5. Happy and excited. If you think your flour may be the culprit in not achieving what you want, then think of solutions---change brands, further research the flour brand/water ratio. Good luck.