How to Make Authentic Sourdough Bread

Sourdough doesn’t have to be an expensive bakery treat. With a sourdough starter you can make this amazing bread. See the Resources section below for step-by-step instructions on how to make and maintain a sourdough starter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil

1. Mix the honey, starter, water and one cup flour together in a large bowl. Leave the batter loosely covered for 24 hours.
2. When the mix is ready bubbles should be spread throughout and it should be a little frothy on top.
3. Mix salt and oil into the batter.
4. Start mixing the flour 1/2 cup at a time into the dough. When the dough is just slightly sticky and you can no longer stir it in the bowl, turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead for 10 to 12 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl. Turn once to coat the top of the dough with oil. Cover with a warm damp cloth and leave for 3 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Remove from bowl and knead for two more minutes. Separate the dough into 2 sections and shape them into ovals. Place on a large greased baking sheet and rub a little oil on the top to keep the dough from drying out make 2 or 3 slashes on the top of the loaves with a sharp knife and let them rise for another 3 hours.
6. Spritz a little water on top of the loaves. This will give it that great chewy texture. Bake the loaves at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes or until the top is an even dark golden brown and the loaf sound hollow when thumped.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that sourdough bread is a process. It is not a lot of work but it is spread over a lot of time.
• If you want to make an authentic sourdough bread do not use a starter that calls for yeast. This is considered a sponge or a poolish. See Resources below for a starter recipe.