Sourdough is a simple process once you get it going and the results, well you can thank me later!
Course Breads, fermented
Cuisine American
Keyword artisan bread, sourdough bread, sourdough recipes, traditional
Prep Time 4 hourshours
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Total Time 4 hourshours35 minutesminutes
Servings 24servings
Calories 208kcal
Author Cultured Palate
Ingredients
450gramssourdough starter
1275gramsunbleached white flour
825gramswater
30gramssalt
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Allow to rest 30 minutes.
Stretch and fold using the stretch and fold in the bowl technique:
To do this simply stretch one side of the dough lifting it slightly out of the bowl but not allowing the dough to tear and fold it back to the center of the ball of dough. Pat down the seam and turn the bowl ΒΌ turn and repeat stretching and folding until you have done the whole ball of dough. See "stretch and fold in the bowl" illustration for more detail.
Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Repeat the stretch and fold in the bowl on the ball of dough for 10 rounds. Rest for 30 min.
Repeat the stretch and fold in the bowl again for 10 rounds. You should be feeling a difference in the dough by now - it is getting tougher/stronger which means the gluten is developing. Rest for 30 minutes.
Put the dough on a lightly floured counter (you still want the dough to have traction on the counter top) and do the stretch and fold technique for 1 round. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with saran wrap. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Repeat the stretch and fold on the floured counter. Reform the dough into a ball and replace it in the bowl. Leave the dough at room temperature until it has increased by 50%.
Place the dough in the refrigerator overnight.
The next day, remove dough from the refrigerator. place dough on a lightly floured surface and divide into loaves. Allow the loaves to rest for 60 mins.
Shape the loaves and allow them to proof in pans or supported by towels for 35 mins.
Preheat oven to 450 F.
Score the loaves and bake with steam for 35 - 45 mins or until they are browned. See Notes.
Enjoy!
Notes
To bake with steam, place a metal (not glass) pan in the bottom of the oven while it is preheating.
After putting the loaves in the oven, carefully pour 1 cup of boiling water in the pan and quickly close the oven door.
Be careful not to spill any water on the glass window of the oven door as there are reports of shattered glass with this method. I did it so it can be done - just be careful!
You can also put a towel over the glass of the door while you pour the water - just take it out before you shut the oven.