Country White Bread

1 & 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast or 2 ounces fresh yeast
4 & 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a hook attachment, combine the yeast with 1 & 3/4 cups lukewarm water. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Add 2 cups of the flour and mix for several seconds on low speed, then add the remaining 2&1/2 cups flour and the salt. Mix on medium speed until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball, about 10 minutes.
3. Lightly great a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Form the dough into a loose ball and place it in the bowl. Lightly grease a sheet of plastic wrap and loosely cover the dough, greased side down. Allow the dough to rise until nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Punch down the dough, and knead for several turns. Form the dough into a ball, cover with the plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled for another hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly dust a workspace with flour and turn out the dough. Divide in half and shape each portion into a loaf by gently tucking it into itself until the outside is smooth. Lightly grease 2 (9x5 inch) loaf pans. Place the dough into the pans and let it rise, covered with a kitchen towel, for 30 minutes.
6. Bake for 1 hour, or until the tops of the bread are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack. Makes a crispy loaf that is REALLY GOOD!