No-Knead Sourdough Recipe

After Mark Bittman’s feature in the New York Times (November 8, 2006) on Jim Lahey’s no-knead bread, we received a lot of inquires about doing it with sourdoughs.  It turned out to be no problem and the lactobacilli produce a far better flavor than commercial yeast.  So you might ask “Why complicate it with 3 proofs?”  The answer is simply because it makes a much better bread than just the no-knead process alone.  Here we go.

 
  • Serving Size1 1/2 pound loaf

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup fully active culture of your choice from the culture proof
    • 3 cups (440 grams) all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
    • 1 cup water
    • 1½ teaspoons salt

    The Culture Proof

    1

    Mix 1 cup of the fully active culture with 1 cup of flour and sufficient water to from a thick pancake batter consistency and proof it for 6 to 8 hours at 65-70oF if you prefer a mild flavor or at 75-85oF if you want it more sour.

    The Dough Proof

    2

    In a large bowl briefly mix the flourculture, water and salt.  The consistency should be firm and shaggy.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and proof over night ( 10-12 hours) at room temperature (65-70oF) for a mild flavor or at 75-80oF in a proofing box for a more sour flavor.

    3

    In a large bowl briefly mix the flourculture, water and salt.  The consistency should be firm and shaggy.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and proof over night ( 10-12 hours) at room temperature (65-70oF) for a mild flavor or at 75-80oF in a proofing box for a more sour flavor.

    4

    After fermenting this is a very sticky dough.  Use a plastic spatula to ease it to a lightly floured board and sprinkle the surface with additional flour.  Let it rest for 15 minutes to relax the gluten.

    5

    With minimal handling and slightly more flour form a ball and transfer it to the baking container: any small covered pot works but avoid willow baskets since the sticky dough may be difficult to remove.  It is a good idea to lightly grease the container to prevent sticking.

    The Loaf Proof

    6

    The dough can be proofed at either room temperature or at 75-80oF until it has about doubled in volume or risen above the container wall.

    Baking

    7

    Place in a cool oven, set the control for 375oF, turn the oven on and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

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