Sourdough

Recipe: Sourdough

Sourdough. A simple(ish) recipe for sourdough bread.

Ingredients

Instructions

Mixing the Dough

1. Dissolve the starter and salt into the water.
2. Combine the white flour and rye flour in a mixing bowl, and add to the water.
3. Mix until all flour has been incorporated and leave for an hour (autolyse).

Folding and First Rise

1. Fold the dough: pull the edges into the center, working around the dough, and do this 10-15 times until the dough feels structured.
2. Leave the dough to rise for 5-10 hours, depending on the temperature of your home. Repeat the folding process another 2-3 times during this time.
3. At the end of the rise, the dough should be puffy and aerated.

Shaping and Proofing

1. Pre-shape the dough into a boule and leave it to rest for an hour.
2. Re-shape the dough and transfer it into a proving basket.
3. Place the basket in the fridge, uncovered, for anywhere between 8-48 hours until you're ready to bake.

Baking

1. Preheat a heavy cast iron casserole dish (with a lid) in the oven at 245°C for at least 30 minutes.
2. Take the dough out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking. Gently remove it from the proving basket, dust off any excess flour, and score the top.
3. Transfer the dough into the hot casserole dish without burning yourself, spray a little water inside, and cover with the lid.
4. Bake for 35 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and continue baking for another 10-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.