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Rustic Sourdough Bread

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup ripe sourdough starter (see note below)
  • 1-½ cups lukewarm water
  • 1 to 2 tsp. instant yeast
  • 2-½ tsp. salt
  • 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients, kneading to form a smooth dough.
  • Allow the dough to rise, in a lightly greased, covered bowl, until it's doubled in size; about 90 minutes.
  • Gently divide the dough in half; it will deflate somewhat.
  • Gently shape the dough into two oval loaves; or, for longer loaves, two 10-inch to 11-inch logs.
  • Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Cover and let rise until very puffy; about 1 hour.
  • Towards the end of the rising time, pre-heat the oven to 425°F.
  • Spray the loaves with lukewarm water and dust generously with flour.
  • Make two fairly deep diagonal slashes in each; a serrated bread knife, wielded firmly, works well here.
  • Place in the pre-heated oven and bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it's a very deep golden brown.
  • Remove bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

Notes

Why the range in yeast amount? If you're sure your starter is healthy and vigorous, and you don't mind potentially extending somewhat the rise times listed above, use 1 teaspoon yeast. If your starter seems a bit lethargic (or you want to keep your rise times on the shorter side), go with 2 teaspoons.
How to Make a Sourdough Starter can be found on our website at https://completecomfortfoods.com/how-to-make-a-sourdough-bread-starter/