Sourdough Bread

Our friend Ilsa brough her fabulous Sourdough bread to dinner at our place one evening. It was so delicious and the texture reminded me of breads I enjoyed as a child in France. Ilsa was kind enough to share the Sourdough bread recipe that she makes for her family. This is an amended recipe to make it easy to have success at home.

Makes two medium loaves.

Ingredients:

· 1 ¼ cups of Sourdough Starter

· 2.5 cups of warm water

· 8 cups of organic bread flour

· 1 Tablespoon of Sea Salt

Instructions:

· Place sourdough starter in a large mixing bowl (how to make starter on p. xx)

· Add 2.5 cups of warm water (should feel slightly warm to you)

· Add 4 cups of organic flour and mix well.

· Slowly add in the next 2 cups of flour and mix.

· Spread 1 cup of flour on a clean, dry countertop.

· Have 1 cup of flour in a cup in reserve.

· Empty the contents of the mixing bowl onto the flour (on the counter)

· Sprinkle with small amount of the remaining cup of flour.

· Knead the bread for 5 minutes or do “stretch and pull”

· Place into a clean mixing bowl and cover with a clean dish towel.

· Let sit for 1 hour.

· Then stretch and fold every 30 minutes.

· Next divide the dough into two pieces

· Form each piece into a round.

· And place into a bowl lined with silicone loaf insert (or parchment paper)

· Allow to proof for 1 hour

· Score: using a razor blade or sharp knife cut a design into the loaf.

Bake at 400 F

· Place Dutch oven (Ceramic – example: Le Crueset) in oven while preheating.

· Place formed, scored loaf in the hot Dutch oven on silicone insert/parchment.

· Cover with lid of Dutch oven and bake for 20 minutes.

· Take lid off Dutch oven and bake for 40 minutes.

· Done and Delicious! Enjoy!