Name: Homemade Sourdough Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30121845 min
Total time: 30121865 min
Ingredients: 1 cup active sourdough starter; 3 cups bread flour; 1 cup whole wheat flour; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 ½ cups warm water

Learn how to make your own delicious and rustic homemade sourdough bread with this easy recipe. With a crispy crust and a soft, tangy interior, this bread is perfect for sandwiches or enjoying on its own. The recipe requires a sourdough starter, which adds incredible flavor and a great texture to the bread. Get ready to impress your friends and family with your homemade sourdough bread!

Ingredients

1 cup active sourdough starter
3 cups bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups warm water

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, bread flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Gradually add the warm water while stirring the mixture. Once the dough starts to come together, knead it with your hands until you have a smooth and elastic dough. Add more flour or water if needed.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 12-18 hours. The longer the rise, the more flavorful the bread will be.
After the rise, gently deflate the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf on a lightly floured surface and let it rise for another 1-2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
In the meantime, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven or a baking stone inside to preheat as well.
When the dough has finished its final rise, carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven or baking stone. Slash the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow for expansion during baking.
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid or place a large oven-safe bowl upside down over the loaf on the baking stone. This will create a steamy environment that helps develop a crispy crust.
Bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid or bowl on. Then, remove the lid or bowl and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade sourdough bread!

Interesting Facts

Sourdough bread has been around for thousands of years and is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt.

The natural fermentation process of sourdough bread not only gives it its distinct tangy flavor but also makes it easier to digest compared to regular bread.

The wild yeast and bacteria present in the sourdough starter contribute to the rise and flavor of the bread, eliminating the need for commercial yeast.

Sourdough bread is often associated with artisanal baking and is known for its rustic and crusty exterior.