Sourdough bread was on my list for ages, but since the starter needs a little care I kept postponing it. The days are packed already and adding even small things scares me 
. But, when my friend Rachel offered me some sourdough starter, it was as if my long time dream came true. I was all set to baking my very first loaf of sourdough bread and also did a lot of reading on maintaining the starter. Turns out it is not that bad and the starter is pretty forgiving. I have not gone to the forgiving part yet, but google says so. I just devote few minutes once a week to feed the starter and it has been going good for few weeks now.
You can purchase the starter online or try making it at home. I have seen few sites that talk about making it at home. The bread had a nice hint of sourness and was soft and tasty. Everyone loved it and I have made few batches since. The bread freezes well too. Recipe from here. Off to the recipe.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough Bread.
Ingredients:
- sourdough starter - 1 cup
- water - 1 cup - luke warm
- oil - 1/4 cup
- honey - 1/4 cup
- bread flour - 4 cups
- salt - 1 - 2 tsp
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients except salt until combined. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Add the salt and knead for about 3 minutes. Cover and set aside until doubled. I left it overnight.
Punch the dough down and divide into two pieces. Form each piece in a rectangle roughly and place in greased loaf pans and allow to rise again.
When the dough has doubled (took about 4 - 5 hours) place in a preheated 450F oven for 5 minutes. Then turn the temperature down to 400F and bake for 15 - 18 minutes until the top is browned and bread is done.
Allow to cool and slice.
1. Unlike the yeast breads, this dough takes a longer time to rise. Allow enough time.
2. The dough is sticky to work with. Use a little flour if needed when handling the dough.
1 year ago: Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus
2 years ago: Roasted Chickpea Powder
3 years ago: Baked Kale Chips
4 years ago: Easy Lemon Pickle
Pictorial
1. Sourdough starter bubbling away.
2. Mix the ingredients except salt until combined. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Then sprinkle the salt and knead for about 3 minutes.
3. Dough ready. Allow to rise.
4. It takes several hours. I left it overnight.
5. Punch the dough and divide into two pieces. Form each piece into a rectangle roughly. The dough will be sticky to work with.
6. Place in greased loaf pans and allow to rise again.
7. After about 4 - 5 hours the dough was ready. Place in a preheated 450F for 5 minutes. Then reduce temperature to 400F and bake for 15 - 18 min until the top is browned and bread is done.
8. Out of the oven. Allow to cool and slice.
Sourdough bread ready.
Enjoy!Linking to Bake Fest #42 hosted by Mayuri.
I love sourdough bread but have not tried to make it at home. I’ve got the method all bookmarked but perhaps waiting for the right time:)
Thanks for this, I’d love to try making it myself