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HOW TO GUIDE: SOURDOUGH BREAD FOR BEGINNERS

5 from 1 vote
This how to guide: sourdough bread for beginners will talk you through step by step, learning how to make sourdough the simple way.
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 750 g filtered water
  • 250 g active sourdough starter
  • 1000 g unbleached all purpose flour
  • 25 g salt

Method
 

  1. Combine filtered water and starter in a larger bowll.
  2. Add 1000g flour and knead until well combined.
  3. Allow dough to rest for 15min. (this step is known as allowing dough to auto-lapse... aka fully absorb water)
  4. Dimple the 25g salt into the dough.
  5. Begin the stretch and fold process. Stretch and fold in quarters three times every 15 minutes followed by two more times every 30 minutes. (Mom tip: don't over complicate this part. I often mix this up right before bed and never stretch and fold. It still works! But for a more round loaf, just stretch and fold the dough a few times whenever you walk past it in the kitchen. The point is to start without getting overwhelmed so if watching the clock stresses you out... just don't.)
  6. Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to double. This happens faster in warm seasons than
  7. Once doubled, spill dough onto a clean surface to divide and shape. Split dough in half and set one half aside.
  8. Using one half, stretch out dough into a rectangle. Fold each side in one at a time and then roll into a ball. Then begin shaping the loaf by pushing back and forth on the countertop to create tension within. Then let the loaf rest for 15-20 minutes. Repeat with other half.
  9. Once each loaf has rested, flip them over and repeat. Dough will remember its shape and be tougher to stretch this time. Once again build tension with pushing and pulling. Then flip the loaf into a rattan basket or floured mixing bowl, cover, and refrigerate.
  10. Refrigerate for 2-24 hours. This is called the bulk ferment. The longer you can wait the more probiotic benefits your final loaf will have. For good scoring and baking the dough has to at least be thoroughly chilled. In a pinch two hours is fine!
  11. Preheat oven to 450 degrees with dutch oven inside. Once heated, flip out dough onto parchment paper and score.
  12. Place scored dough Into dutch oven and bake covered for 30 minutes.
  13. Remove lid and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until you've achieved a nice golden crust.
  14. Remove from over and pan and let rest one hour minimum
  15. Lastly, slice, eat, and fall in love with homemade bread. You will never turn back.