Tuesday, February 7, 2012

How to Make Sourdough Bread


 

Sourdough Bread Recipe

1) Mix 1 cup of starter with 2 cups of water &
2 cups of flour. 

2) Let rest in a warm place until bubbly. 
This is referred to as your "sponge"
3) Reserve 1 cup of your sponge
as starter for your future bread batches.
4) Cap your starter loosely and refrigerate.
5) For each cup of sponge, add 2 cups of flour.
6) Add salt - approximate 2 tsp per 1 cup of starter
7) Add sugar if desired. 
I use approximately 1 Tbsp per cup of starter
8) Mix and knead until smooth and elastic.
Let rise in warm location until doubled.
9) Shape into loaves.
10)  Place in greased pan(s) to rise.
When doubled in size, bake in 375 degree oven
for approximately 30 minutes.
11) When done loaves should sound hollow
when tapped.  Let cool for 10 minutes in pan
prior to moving to cooling rack.
12) Slice, butter if desired and watch bread
magically disappear!

For instructions on how to make your own sourdough starter see my instructions here -

Some important things to note -

* Sourdough starter becomes more potent both in it's leavening abilities and in it's sour taste with frequent use.

* Patience is key with sourdough.  It may take longer to rise than bread leavened with commercial yeast.  On the flip side, I've had sourdough perform just as well or better than commercial yeast.  So, watch it carefully and expect it to take a while.

*Remember to save starter out of your sponge each time for next use.  Don't be afraid to experiment with the ingredients you add to your sourdough bread, just be certain to take your starter reserve out of your sponge PRIOR to adding other ingredients.

* If you make bread at least once a week you shouldn't need to feed your starter.  If you don't make bread that often, you will want to feed your starter by stirring, pouring off about 1/2, adding equal parts lukewarm water and flour.  Cover loosely and leave at room temperature until starter begins to bubble.  Then return to refrigerator. 

* A good rule of thumb when figuring how many loaves you will be making is to use one cup of starter with 2 cups of flour per loaf.  You may need to add more flour.  In fact, it is better to start with less and add a little flour at a time until smooth and elastic. 

Happy bread making!  Feel free to share your favorite bread recipe. 

12 comments:

  1. Your bread looks absolutely divine. I know you are enjoying it. Pass the butter please!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bonnie for stopping by! I wish I could give you a slice, it did turn out really well!

      Delete
  2. It's a shame that Sourdough bread is not widely known here in the UK. You certainly make it sound easy to do.
    BTW: do you know of Becky Whitford's blog "Simply Self-Sufficiency"? I think you and she have a lot in common...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,

      I really appreciate your visit! Sourdough really is easy. Sometimes it takes longer to begin that bread made with commercial yeast. I'm speculating that is why more people don't give it a try. But honestly, once the starter is live, it is the easiest method.

      Seems like one could keep themselves in a regular habit of making bread just by using sourdough starter. After all if you don't feed the starter once a week, it could weaken or die.

      Thank you for mentioning Becky's blog! You're right, we do seem to have a lot in common!

      Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  3. Your loaves are absolutely gorgeous. Love the idea of the holes punched in the lid. I need to try that, next time I make a sourdough starter, which won't be until after my kitchen is done. :o I managed to keep the last one alive for over a year, but, it died. Maybe I'll do better next time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Leigh! I'm sure you'll be glad to get your kitchen finished and NOT just for the sourdough!

      It is really quite simple isn't it? As long as you remember to feed the critters, it just keeps on producing!

      Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

      Delete
  4. Thanks to Mark for showing me this blog! I have a sourdough starter going too but have yet to get around to making bread. Hopefully this weekend I can get to it. I have used it for several other things though. Your bread rose really well. I hope mine does as well as that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Becky,

      It's very nice to have you here! I think your bread will do well as long as you have a nice warm kitchen and continue to feed your starter.

      I'd love to know what else you've used your starter for. I've made pancakes with mine before.

      I'll have to come by and visit you in a bit.

      Warm wishes from Kansas!

      Delete
  5. I have used it for waffles, pancakes, in biscuits, as breader for chicken, steak and pork chops, I have made bread before but not with the current starter I have. There are some recipes on my board under the sourdough tab.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm heading back over to check it out right now!

      Thanks Becky!

      Delete
  6. I forgot the pizza and it is one of the best things to make!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I love bread and sourdough is my favorite, I make it every other day, and after dinner I mix it up, leave it overnight, about noon I punch it down, let it double in the pan and bake like you at 375, not only is it good, I know exactly what is in it. My husband grinds our wheat flour which we keep in the freezer and I mix with King Arthur bread flour, nothing like it!!!! Good luck with the finances, we only have $21,000 to get totally out of debt, outside of our mortgage hugs buni

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! Please remember to keep your comments clean and kind. Have a great day!