Yo, let’s talk about something that’s not just food, but pure love – homemade artisan sourdough bread. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh bread filling your kitchen, and making it from scratch just hits different. Whether you’re looking to impress at a gathering or just treat yourself (because you deserve it), this sourdough bread recipe is gonna be your new best friend. Let’s get into it!
Homemade Artisan Sourdough Bread
This ain’t just any bread; this is the kind of bread that hugs you back. It’s crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and perfect for that sandwich or just slathered in some good butter.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- ¼ cup sourdough starter (active and bubbly)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Mix it up: In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sourdough starter. Stir it well until it’s all combined. Then, gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until you form a shaggy dough.
- Let it rest: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This rest period is crucial for those gluten strands to relax and work their magic, so don’t rush it!
- Knead it: After the dough has rested, put it on a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. You want that dough to be smooth and elastic – it’s like giving it a good workout!
- First rise: Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 4 hours at room temperature. By the end of this, your dough should have doubled in size.
- Shape it: Punch down the dough gently and turn it out onto a floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf and let it rest for another hour, covered with a cloth.
- Preheat the oven: While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If you have a Dutch oven, place it inside to heat up – this will help create that crust we’re all about!
- Bake it: Once the dough has risen, carefully place it into the hot Dutch oven (you can line it with parchment paper for easy removal). Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Then, take off the lid and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
- Cool and enjoy: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Slice it up once it’s cool enough to handle, and enjoy that beautiful, homemade goodness!
So there you have it, fam! A banging recipe for homemade artisan sourdough bread. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little messy and dive into this delightful process. Once you taste that fresh, warm bread, you’ll know you’ve done something special!
source: thewoksoflife.com