Sep 7 2005 - 8:49pm
See these ingredient specific FAQs:
How do I make crusty bread?
One word: steam [3]. Lots of steam in the first five minutes of baking. But be aware that many home ovens are not designed to handle the kind of steam required to make really crusty bread, so try it at your own peril.
What is the best way to store a loaf of bread?
Crusty bread: paper. Soft breads: air tight plastic. It is that simple. Either type of bread can be wrapped in plastic and frozen, though I don't find crusty breads ever to completely recover.