Homemade Basic Sourdough Bread

Learn how to make your own delicious basic sourdough bread at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. This classic recipe yields a crusty, tangy, and chewy bread with a soft and fluffy interior. The long fermentation process enhances the flavor and texture of the bread, making it a staple in any bread lover's kitchen. Enjoy the satisfaction of baking your own sourdough bread from scratch and impress your family and friends with your baking skills.

Ingredients

• 500g bread flour
• 350ml water
• 200g active sourdough starter
• 10g salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, water, and sourdough starter. Mix well until you have a sticky dough. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. After 30 minutes, sprinkle the salt over the dough and mix it in using your hands or a dough scraper. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Place the dough back into the bowl and cover it. Let it ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This slow fermentation process develops the flavors in the bread.
4. Once the dough has risen, transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf by folding the edges towards the center, creating tension on the surface of the loaf.
5. Place the shaped loaf onto a floured proofing basket or a lined bowl, seam side up. Cover it with a cloth and let it proof for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. This second fermentation further enhances the flavor and structure of the bread.
6. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or a baking stone in the oven to preheat as well.
7. Carefully remove the proofed dough from the refrigerator. Invert the dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to create decorative slashes.
8. Transfer the dough, along with the parchment paper, into the preheated Dutch oven or onto the baking stone. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid or use an oven-safe pot as a cover.
9. Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid on. This helps trap steam and creates a crusty exterior. Remove the lid and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
10. Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This allows the bread to set and finishes the baking process.
11. Serve your homemade basic sourdough bread with your favorite spreads, such as butter or jam, or use it for sandwiches and toast. Enjoy!

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