Recipe, Modern Style Sourdough Bread

Modern Style Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Starter:

2 cups all- purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

2 cups warm water

 Dough:

2 Tbsps. sugar

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

          Water

6 to 8 cups all- purpose flour

3 Tbsps. butter, melted

1)   Make Starter: In large bowl, combine flour and yeast; stir in water; beat until smooth. Cover bowl with waxed paper.

2)   Let stand 48 hours in a warm place, stirring occasionally. If it does not rise, form bubbles and separate, start again. Stir well before using starter.

3)   Make the dough a day before serving bread: In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat well sugar, salt, soda, 2 cups warm water, 1 cup starter and 3 cups flour.

4)   Cover bowl with towel; let batter rise at room temperature, away from draft, at least 18 hours.

5)   About 4 ½ hours before serving: Stir in 3 ½ to 4 cups flour to make soft dough. On floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.

6)   Cut dough in half; shape into 2 flat, round loaves, measuring about 7 inches in diameter. Place loaves on well greased cookie sheets; cover with towels and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 2 hours.

7)   Preheat oven to 400 F. Brush loaves with water; with a sharp knife, cut 3 to 5 crisscross slashes across top of each loaf.

8)  Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden and loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove to racks; brush with melted butter.

To Replenish Starter:

            If you plan to make Sourdough Bread Regularly (at least once a week) this starter may be replenished, if there is at least 1 cup left.

            Combine 1 cup all- purpose flour with 1 cup warm water and beat until smoothly blended. Stir into remaining starter. Leave at room temperature a few hours until mixture begins to bubble. Cover loosely; refrigerate replenished starter until needed.