• 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm whole milk (105° to 115°)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup semolina flour or cornmeal , plus additional for dusting
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour
• 1 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted

In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast, milk, sugar, 1/4 cup semolina flour, whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup bread flour. Whisk until creamy and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature 12 to 24 hours.

Place dough in a large bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with a paddle. Add remaining yeast, water, salt, butter and 1 cup bread flour. Beat at medium speed 3 minutes, or until smooth. Add remaining flour at low speed, 1/2 cup at a time, until soft dough is formed. Dough will just clear sides of bowl. (Process can also be done by hand in a large bowl.)

Switch to a dough hook and continue mixing about 3 to 4 minutes, adding flour 1 Tablespoon at a time. (If kneading by hand, turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead 5 to 7 minutes, adding flour 1 Tablespoon at a time as necessary.) Dough should barely hold its shape. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until tripled, about 2 hours.

Gently deflate dough, turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and form into a round ball or oblong loaf. Roll lightly in flour and place on a baking sheet sprinkled with semolina flour. (Or, place dough in a greased 12" x 5" x 3 1/2" loaf pan.) Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475° for at least 30 minutes. Make a slit in top of loaf with a serrated knife. Bake at 475° for 10 minutes, 400° for 15 minutes, and 325° for 20 to 30 minutes. Loaf is done when slightly domed and browned. Cool on a rack. Makes 1 large loaf.

Note: Dough can also be shaped into flatbread, breadsticks or rolls.