How to Make Simple Sourdough Bread at Home

TL;DR

To make simple sourdough bread, start with a sourdough starter and create a levan by mixing it with flour and water. Allow the dough to ferment, perform folds during bulk fermentation, and shape it before proofing overnight in the refrigerator. Bake in a preheated Dutch oven for a crusty loaf with a chewy interior.

Transcript

homemade sourdough bread do I need to say more or no no I don't so if you watched my last video about making a sourdough starter from scratch with two ingredients flour and water that is all you need I think that's what I said in the last video actually using two very simple ingredients flour and water that is all you need really nice I'm already r... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 A sourdough starter, made from flour and water, is essential for making sourdough bread.
• ⌛ The levan, which is a splinter of the sourdough starter, needs to ferment for six hours.
• 💦 The autolease, made from different types of flour and water, helps to develop the bread dough.
• 🙏 The dough needs to be folded and shaped before proofing overnight in a refrigerator.
• 😤 Dutch ovens are recommended for baking the bread, as they provide a controlled environment and trap steam for a crispy crust.
• 💯 Scoring the bread dough before baking helps with its expansion during the baking process.
• 🤎 Baking the bread at high temperatures initially, then reducing the temperature, promotes even browning and a crisp crust.

Questions & Answers

Q: What ingredients are needed to make the sourdough starter?

To make the sourdough starter, you only need flour and water.

Q: How long should the levan ferment for?

The levan should ferment for six hours at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: Is it necessary to use a fermentation station or can an oven with the light on be used?

If a fermentation station is not available, an oven with just the light on can be used to create a warm enough environment for fermentation.

Q: Can the dough be shaped without using a proofing basket?

Yes, a floured mixing bowl with a kitchen towel can be used instead of a proofing basket to shape the dough.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This video provides a simplified recipe for making homemade sourdough bread using a sourdough starter made from flour and water.

• The recipe includes making a levan, which is a splinter of the sourdough starter, and an autolease with different types of flour mixed with water.

• The bread dough is folded and shaped, then proofed overnight in a refrigerator before baking in a preheated Dutch oven.