May 11, 02:57 PM
Easy Sourdough Bread
Here is how to make a great sourdough bread. It takes a while but is easier than most recipes.
1) In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Cover bowl with cloth or plastic wrap and leave at room temperature.
2) A day later, mix in 1 cup flour with 1 cup water. Cover and leave at room temperature.
3) A day later, there should be bubbles in the mixture and it should smell somewhat sour. If so, mix in 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and just enough water to produce a firm dough.
4) Drop dough ball onto a flour-sprinkled baking sheet in the oven and leave overnight.
5) Score the surface with a knife in an X pattern, turn heat to 425 degrees and bake for 30-40 minutes.
The advantage of the above method, is that you can do it all in one bowl that you keep progressively adding flour and water to. Other recipes say dump out half of the starter at each step, but I don’t think that’s necessary; just add more flour and water.
The vinegar lowers the pH so that yeast have an easier time growing, and undesirable bacteria stay out of the way.