Sourdough Bread

Here is a basic sourdough, I bought the starter while on an Alaskan cruise, best souvenir ever!! This will make one loaf of bread. You'll need a sourdough starter, Amazon has it as well.  You can also try your hand at making your, just google sourdough starter from scratch. Printable recipe here.

Sourdough Bread

• 1 cup starter 
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 cups flour

1. In a larger bowl or stand mixer, mix sugar, oil salt water and sourdough starter. Add flour to the mixture a little at a time until combined and forms a ball.  Oil dough ball and place in clean oiled bowl, cover and let rise over night or four at least 7 hours.
2. The next day, knead dough for 10 minutes. ***if using crock pot to bake switch to next section *** Shape into round bread, pulling top of bread smooth and tucking bread to underside. Allow to double in size.

3. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and taps hollow.

4. Turn out on wire rack to cool.

***Bread baking in crock pot***

Most breads can be baked in crock pot, sourdough or any artisan loaf works well because they are shaped. 

Picking up at step 2 from above, shape the dough into one large loaf set on a sheet of parchment paper, score the top, and place paper and loaf into large crock pot. Place lid and set to warm this will be a time to rise the dough, usually 30 minutes is fine (this step can be skipped, I just try to make the dough rise as much as possible.)

Turn crock pot to high, check at one hour, wipe condensation off of lid.  Usually bread is done with a cook time of 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 

Bottom will be crusty and wonderful.  The top of bread will be soft and steamed... place in center of oven on a baking sheet, set broiler to high, bake for five minutes or until top is browned.

Cool completely and enjoy.