Basic Sourdough Bread - 1-2-3 Method
The 1-2-3 method for sourdough bread is a simple and easy-to-follow recipe that produces delicious, crusty loaves with a soft and chewy interior. The recipe is named after its three main ingredients: flour, water, and sourdough starter, which are combined in a ratio of 1 part sourdough starter, 2 parts water, and 3 parts flour.
Ingredients
Overnight Sourdough Starter
- 100 g 100% hydration sourdough starter
- 100 g water
- 100 g bread flour
Final Dough
- 300 g overnight sourdough starter
- 600 g water
- 900 g bread flour or a mixture of flours ( I used 700g bread flour +100g whole wheat flour + 100g rye flour)
- 18 g salt
Instructions
Prepare the overnight starter.
- To make the overnight starter, in the evening, stir down the 100% hydration sourdough starter, and remove 100g in a large bowl. First, add the water and stir well. Add flour and stir. Cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for 10-12 hrs (overnight).
Prepare the final dough.
- In the morning, in a large bowl mix the overnight starter with water until well combined. Add the bread flour or mixture of flour as desired and mix to combine. Let the dough rests (autolyse) for 30 minutes.
- Add the salt and knead by hand for 5-8 minutes. Wipe the inside of the bowl with a little vegetable oil. Place the dough into the bowl so the dough can be stretched and folded without removing it from the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Let the dough ferment at room temperature for 2.5 hours, stretching and folding on 4 sides, every 50 minutes, using wet hands. A total of 3 stretches and folds.
Shape the dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Divide it into two pieces. Shape them in the form of a ball. Sprinkle the balls with flour, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare two loaf pans or two round pans with 2 kitchen towels, sprinkled with flour, or use bannetons if you have them.
- Reshape the two pieces of dough in the desired shape. Either boule (round) or batard (oval loaf shape). Add the dough seam-side-up on the prepared pans or baskets and cover it with the edges of the towel.
- Cover the baskets or pans with a plastic bag and refrigerate overnight to bake the next morning.
How to bake the bread.
- The next morning, turn the oven to 470°F (240°C) with either a baking stone or a Dutch oven. In case you don't have any, simply use a baking sheet, and preheat for 45 minutes to 1 hour before baking (If using the baking stone or the baking sheet place a small pot with water at the base of the oven to create steam, the Dutch oven does not need it as the lid will create enough steam.)
- Turn the proofed loaves onto parchment paper and score them using a bread lame or sharp knife. Carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven, baking stone, or the back of the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes with steam then remove the pot with water from the oven. When using a Dutch oven simply remove the lid.
- Reduce oven temperature to 440°F (230°C) and bake for another 15- 20 minutes without steam.
- Cool on a wire rack. Let them cool completely before cutting for at least 2 hrs.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 loafCalories: 1813kcalCarbohydrates: 374.1gProtein: 56.7gFat: 8.8gSaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 4174mgPotassium: 745mgFiber: 23.5gSugar: 6.8gCalcium: 145mgIron: 24mg