How we make our sourdough bread

Sourdough bread is something I always wanted to give a go (read about the health benefits here), I had been told that it was easy but just didn't really know where to begin. Until my aunty shared her recipe with us, and it really is so so easy! There is so much information out there on sourdough, and different ways of doing things, but this is what we do, and it works great, and it's easy! And now mum, and my sister Frith are making it too using this recipe, and it's working great for them. - So time to share with you :)

making sourdough bread

Making your sourdough starter:
You need: Rye flour, water, 1 litre glass jar, piece of muslin cloth, rubber band.
- Mix about a cup each of flour and water together in your glass jar (you are aiming for a pancake batter consistency). Put the muslin cloth on top secured with the rubber band.
- Leave it sitting on your bench top for about 2 days. Then start feeding it every day with about equal amounts of flour and water. About 1/3 cup of flour and about the same of water, it is not necessary to measure the amounts.
- After about a week it should be ready to use.
- You will know if it is active and ready if it looks mousse-like with air holes and has a pleasant fermented beer-like odour.

bread

The bread recipe:
This is the general recipe I use to make my bread. I'm starting to change it around a bit and try different flours now, and I always add a few seeds.
- 2 cups starter
- 350ml water
- 3 cups unbleached flour
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 3 tsp salt
Method: Roughly mix all the ingredients together and leave to rest for 20 minutes. Knead for 5 minutes on a floured surface. Rest 30 minutes covered with a damp teatowel. Knead another 5 minutes.

bread

bread

This recipe will either make one large loaf, or two smaller loaves. I make one loaf as I have this lovely big tin that mum bought me last year :)
Press the dough evenly and with a flat top into your tin (or tins). Cover with your damp teatowel and leave to rise until about doubled in size, this will take 4-6 hours or more.

Aug 197

Bake at 235 deg celcius for 15 minutes, then turn your oven down to 210 deg and bake a further 30-40 minutes. Times may vary depending on your oven, and also depending on whether you are cooking it as one large loaf or two smaller loaves. I find I have to cook mine about an hour total, and I normally cover the top of the loaf with tinfoil for the last 15 minutes to stop it browning too much.

sourdough bread

Continuing with your starter:
* Please note if you have read this before that I have now changed my method slightly here.
I normally have about 1 1/2 cups left over once I have made a batch of bread. Pour the leftover starter into a clean jar and feed it with about 1/2 cup of rye flour and 1/2 cup water and leave on the bench (it should be a nice thick pancake batter consistency). Now, I normally don't make bread again for another 4 or 5 days, so before I go to bed I pop my starter into the fridge. I take it out the night before I plan to make my next batch of bread and leave it on the bench to come to room temperature, then feed it again with about 1/2 cup or flour and of water and leave it overnight. And then in the morning it will be ready to make another batch of dough.
Note: The above method is only a guide, if you are planning on making your bread more often or less often, or want more information, or your starter is doing funny things, Sourdough baker is a really great website with lots of information.

sourdough starter

19 comments

Mee said...

Actually I can't fault your directions one little bit :)And regards the photo of my finished loaves? Well, I went and sliced them up, put them into bags and popped them in the freezer!Several hours later I rememembered the forgotten 'photo-shoot' Next time... But I'm so enjoying bread that dosen't give me indigestion and is perfect for sandwiches and toast. Better than the bought stuff!

hanna said...

Ha! you wouldn't be a very good blogger mum :)

Holly C. said...

Your sourdough bread looks delicious. Thank you for the recipe! I must try this sometime.

Allana said...

Thanks so much for the recipe, I have been wanting to try a sourdough loaf for some time and your instructions look really easy! :)

Anonymous said...

That looks great - like the bread the bread Nana Fitness used to make. he used to cut it real thin and butter -have to try too.

Love GG

Rhiannon said...

I was never sure I would have the patience for something like this, but I think I might have to give it a go. It looks sooo good.

Unknown said...

My Dad made sour dough when I was growing up, that was our staple bread. I've tried a few times to make it myself but it always turns out like a stone. Think now maybe I wasn't patient enough in letting it rise at the end. So will for sure try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Ana said...

I so wanna try this - can I get rye flour at the Supermarket or do I need to head to a healthfood store?

Jacinda said...

Nice to find your blog. I'll enjoy reading along.

Heather said...

Wonderful recipe, thank you so much for sharing

Ana said...

I started one on Wednesday but I only had a 900g jar. I thought it would be enough but I've only fed it once and it's oveflowing - any tips?

Ally said...

I have started the starter and all seems to be going good. I was wondering when you feed it do you stir it. I cant wait to make my first loaf. Thanks heaps hanna.

hanna said...

Hi Ally, yes stir it all up when you feed it. Let me know how it goes :)

Ally said...

I think I am going to have to start my sour dough starter again :( does not look very healthy it has formed a skin and does not smell like fermenting beer. the first couple days went well but then did not seem to be working. oh well back to the drawing board or starter board:)

Ally said...

back already again seen something on the sour dough baker and am trying it so cross fingers ....will keep you posted

hanna said...

ok :) - let me know how you go. Perhaps you didn't feed it enough?

meg said...

Hi Hanna, I'm up to day ten with my starter and have made some yummy pancakes and moderately successful crumpets (with your recipe)...

http://growingkiwis.blogspot.com/2011/02/sourdough.html

I tried your bread recipe today though and made two round loaves that were very rock like. The kids ate them but I didn't!! Do you think it matters what flour you use in your starter? My great baking recipe book said "bread flour" so I've been feeding my starter with that.

Alli said...

I just happened across your blog and look forward to trying your recipe! I will make my starter today!

meg said...

Turned out that my oven was baking the bread at seventy degrees hotter than it is supposed to! No wonder it was turning out black. Where did your mum get the big loaf tin? I only seem to be able to find small ones.