How to Make Sourdough Bread with a Starter

Sourdough bread is delicious, and you can make it easily using your sourdough starter. If you have not yet made a sourdough starter, see the Resources section below for a link that will direct you on how to make your sourdough bread starter. Sourdough bread is bread that does not use the addition of yeast to make it rise. You essentially grow your own yeast in your sourdough starter, which will make your bread rise.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 c sourdough starter
• 3 c unbleached flour
• 2 Tb olive oil
• 4 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt

1. Put your sourdough starter, or sponge, in a clean mixing bowl and add the following: sugar, salt and oil (or softened butter). Mix well.

2. Knead in the flour ½ cup at a time, until you have a smooth, elastic sourdough bread dough. You may use more or less flour depending on how wet your sourdough starter is to begin with.

3. Grease your original mixing bowl, set your dough in it, cover it with a towel, and leave it in a warm place to rise. It should take about an hour. You will know it is done when you poke the sourdough, and it doesn’t spring back into place.

4. Punch down the sourdough, knead it a few times, form it into a loaf, and place it on a greased cookie sheet. Cover it with a towel and allow it to rise again, until it doubles in size.

5. Bake your sourdough at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes. When cooking sourdough bread, you do not need to preheat the oven.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave some of your original sourdough starter in its crock, and feed it equal amounts of flour and water. Mix well.

Resources

• How to Make Sourdough Bread Starter
• How to Make Sourdough Pancakes
• How to Care for Your Sourdough Starter
• Local Breads: Sourdough and Whole-Grain Recipes from Europe's Best Artisan Bakers
• Classic Sourdoughs: A Home Baker's Handbook

[alishacra]

on 1/13/2009 Yum - I love sourdough bread - thanks!