Homemade bread

Homemade Sourdough Bread Recipe – A Traditional Delicacy

Homemade bread is undoubtedly the symbol of a warm home and family meals. This sourdough bread recipe will not only fill your house with an inviting aroma, but it will also add flavor and nutrition to your table. Whether you serve it plain, with butter, or alongside a more complex dish, this bread will surely become a family favorite.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Rising Time: 50-60 minutes
Baking Time: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Number of Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

- 1.5 kg of flour (you can use white, whole grain, or a combination)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of honey (for the sourdough starter)
- 200 ml of lukewarm milk (for the sourdough starter)
- 50 g of fresh yeast
- 3 tablespoons of oil (one tablespoon will be used at the end)
- 750 ml of water (for the mixture)

Preparing the Sourdough Starter

1. Activating the Yeast: In a small pot, heat the milk until it is lukewarm. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast with the honey until fully dissolved. This step is essential for activating the yeast, ensuring a well-risen starter.

2. Forming the Sourdough Starter: Add the lukewarm milk to the dissolved yeast. Sprinkle in a handful of flour (about 50 g) and mix well. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise for 10 minutes until bubbles form.

Preparing the Dough

3. Sifting the Flour: Sifting the flour is an important step that helps aerate it and achieve a fine texture. In a large bowl, sift the flour and make a well in the center.

4. Adding Ingredients: Pour the risen sourdough starter into the well in the flour. Add the 2 tablespoons of oil and the boiled water (750 ml). It’s a good idea to rinse the bowl where the starter was with water to not lose any of the mixture.

5. Mixing the Dough: Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough forms. It will be a firmer dough compared to cake dough, but don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal!

6. Kneading: Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Finally, use the last tablespoon of oil to incorporate it into the dough, kneading well.

Rising and Baking

7. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 20-30 minutes or until it doubles in size.

8. Preparing the Pans: While the dough rises, grease the pans with oil to prevent sticking. Once the dough has risen, divide it into portions and place them in the prepared pans.

9. Second Rise: Allow the dough in the pans to rise again until it reaches above the edges, about 20-30 minutes.

10. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the bread for 40 minutes or until it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Serving

Once the bread is baked, let it cool on a rack. It is delicious served warm, with butter or alongside a hot soup. You can experiment with adding herbs, seeds, or even cheese to the dough to give it a personal touch.

Tips and Variations

- Scalding the Flour: A popular technique for achieving a fluffier bread is scalding part of the flour. This involves adding hot water directly to the flour, helping to develop the gluten.
- Nutritional Enhancements: Add flaxseeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds to the dough for an extra nutrient boost.
- Flavorful Bread: You can add some dried herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, for an aromatic taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Why doesn’t the dough rise?: Make sure the yeast is fresh and that the milk wasn’t too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
- How do I know when the bread is done?: The bread is ready when it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- What if the dough is too sticky?: You can add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it, as the bread will become dense.

Conclusion

Making homemade sourdough bread is a rewarding process that will not only nourish your family but also create beautiful memories. Each piece is a symbol of effort and tradition, and every slice can be customized according to your preferences. Dare to experiment and bring a touch of creativity to your kitchen! This homemade bread recipe will surely become a part of your culinary tradition, offering not just food but an experience.