Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Starter

This is not a blog that is full of recipes but I make an expectation for my house sourdough bread. The process of making a sourdough loaf is built into the day. It starts at about 7am when I get up. The tea is made and left to mash while I get out the Kitchen Aid mixer and add 300g of starter to the bowel. I then add 500g of strong white flour, 10g of salt and 5g of sugar, finally about 225ml of cold water. Now set the mixer going on speed 2 and pour a cup of tea.
I have a started which I initially begged from a lady in the village. It is the fourth pet in our house and needs feeding at least once a week or daily if in use.

Proving

After 15 minutes the dough is mixed and kneaded and ready to prove. Pour some sunflower oil on the surface, rub your hands in the oil and get the dough out of the bowl. Fold into a ball and put in an oiled dish and cover with oiled clingfilm. Finally, put it in the microwave oven out of the way and leave for about 3 or 4 hours or until doubled in size.
Once it has doubled, flour the surface and pour the dough onto the surface. Knockback the dough, fold and roll-up into a tight oblong.

Upside down in dish on floured cloth

I use a large oval pyrex casserole dish as a Dutch Oven. I place a well-floured tea towel over the deep part of the dish and place the dough onto the tea towel with the presentation side down. I put the oiled clingfilm back onto the top and put back in the microwave for 3 to 4 hours or until doubled in size.
Now comes the sticky bit. Remove the clingfilm, flour the top of the dough and place the lid on the Pyrex dish and flip it over so the dough is in the lid. Remove the dish and very carefully peel the tea towel off the top of the dough. You now have the presentation side on top. Now put the dish on the lid and put in an oven at 220C for 25 minutes then remove the dish and put back in the oven for 35 minutes. Bake until dark brown with a good crust. Tip out and cool on a rack. Job done!