Deluxe Sourdough Bread Recipes

Steps:

• Before measuring out your 2 cups of starter culture, it must be proofed: To proof, I usually start with 1 cup of starter and stir into it equal parts of flour and warm water (for this recipe, 1 1/2 cups of each would be more than enough).
• Let mixture sit, covered loosely, for 8 to 12 hours-- the longer it sits, the sourer the flavor will be.
• At this point, measure out the 2 cups required for recipe, and return leftover starter to refrigerator for next time.
• Pour starter into mixing bowl.
• Melt butter (microwave works well).
• Add milk to butter and warm briefly (85 degrees F).
• Add the salt and sugar, stir until dissolved.
• Add this mixture to the culture and mix well.
• Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring until the dough is too stiff to mix by hand.
• Turn onto floured board and knead in the remaining flour until the dough is smooth and satiny.
• Pat dough into a 1-inch thick oval and form loaf by rolling oval up from the long side, pinching the seam together as you roll the dough, tucking ends to form the loaf.
• Place in lightly greased loaf pan (I spray with cooking spray), and let rise, covered, at 85 degrees F for 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
• When the dough rises 1 to 2 inches above the edges of pan, it is ready to bake.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake an additional 30 to 40 minutes (baking time varies according to your oven and your personal taste--some like a darker crustier bread than others).
• Remove loaf from oven and brush the top lightly with melted butter; turn loaf out of the pan and cool on wire rack.
• If you prefer, you can shape this into a round or oval loaf and bake on a baking sheet.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and dry yeast. Add milk and softened butter or margarine. Stir in starter. Mix in up to 3 3/4 cups flour gradually, you may need more depending on your climate.
• Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turn once to oil surface, and cover. Allow to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in volume.
• Punch down, and let rest 15 minutes. Shape into loaves. Place on a greased baking pan. Allow to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.
• Brush egg wash over tops of loaves, and sprinkle with chopped onion.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or till done.

Steps:

• Heat milk and butter or margarine in a small saucepan, until just melted stir in honey and cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water let set until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine milk mixture, yeast mixture, starter, whole wheat flour and wheat germ stir to blend well. In a small bowl, blend sugar, salt and baking soda until no lumps reman sprinkle over dough and stir in gently. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until light and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Stir dough and add all-purpose flour to form a stiff dough. On a well-floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl turn dough to coat surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until almost doubled, about 1 hour. Divide, shape into loaves and place into two well-greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 -inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes. Bake in a preheated 400° F oven for 20 minutes reduce temperature to 325° F and continue to bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until loaves are golden and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.