Add yeast, salt, and water to a large bowl. Mix in the flour cup by cup with a wooden spoon. Cover loosely and allow to rise until it begins to collapse, about 2 hours. Refrigerate dough for 3 hours before shaping loaf. When ready to bake, prepare a pizza peel or flat lid by sprinkling liberally with corn meal. Form dough into a boule, place on pizza peel, and let it rest for 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees with a baking stone on the middle rack and an empty broiling tray on another. Dust loaf liberally with flour and slash a cross into the top. Slide loaf onto baking stone and quickly pour a cup of water into broiling tray. Close the oven door quickly to trap in the steam. Bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is browned and firm. Allow to cool on a wire rack for best texture and slicing.