Description
Experience the joy of baking with this soft and chewy sourdough bread, perfect for sandwiches or enjoying with spreads.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ cup sourdough starter
- Optional: chia seeds, sesame seeds, fresh or dried herbs, garlic powder, shredded cheese
Instructions
- Combine bread flour, water, sea salt, and sourdough starter in a large bowl and mix until no dry flour remains.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
- Wet your hands, stretch, and fold the dough around the bowl 4-5 times, repeating this every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
- Cover and let the dough ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours, until doubled in size.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place seam-side up in a floured proofing basket. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
- Turn the dough onto parchment paper, score the top with a knife, and transfer to the hot Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Experiment with hydration levels and different seeds or herbs for unique flavors. Monitor fermentation times based on kitchen environment.