Making Sourdough bread at home is much easier than it looks once you get it down. This is not one of those recipes. Long story short, you guys asked for my advanced version, so here it is. It's all about Technique.
SUPPLIES USED:
INGREDIENTS:
Levain:
35g mature sourdough starter
35g whole wheat flour
35g all-purpose flour
70g room temperature water
Dough:
804g good bread flour
75g whole wheat flour
680g water at 90°F (32°C), divided
18g fine sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Method:
In a small bowl, stir together the levain ingredients and rest in a warm area (70-80°F/21–27°C) for 5 hours.
One hour before the levain is done, make the dough. In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour and whole wheat flour. Add 580g water to the flour mixture (keeping 100g to the side for mixing later).
Mix just until your dough comes together. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm area (70–80°F/21–27°C) for 1 hour.
Mix your dough and levain together using a little of the reserved water to help incorporate. Rest for 20 minutes.
Add the sea salt and all of the remaining water and mix until incorporated. Slap and fold for 2 to 4 minutes or until your dough is smooth and begins to catch some air. Rest 15 minutes in the same warm area.
Perform 6 sets of stretch and folds spaced out by 15 minutes for the first three, then 30 minutes for the last three. Place the dough back in the warm area for each rest.
Let your dough rest for a final ½ hours, undisturbed.
Dump out and divide your dough into 2 even pieces. Pre-shape each piece into a light boule and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Shape each ball dough into a batard, and place into bannetons dusted with either rice flour or all-purpose flour.
Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat cast-iron combo cooker to 500°F (260°C) for 1 hour.
Carefully place a dusted loaf into the hot pan, score the top, and place the larger lid on top. Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the top from the combo cooker and lower the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C). Bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the loaf is a deep brown color.
Remove the bread and cool on a wire rack until room temperature. Repeat with the other loaf.
Sample Schedule for Breadmaking:
9am: Mix levain
1pm: Autolyse dough
2pm: Mix dough and levain
2:15pm: Mix in salt
2:30pm: Fold #1
2:45pm: Fold #2
3:00pm: Fold #3
3:30pm: Fold #4
4:00pm: Fold #5
4:30pm: Fold #6, rest for 1.5 hours
6pm: Shape dough and place in fridge overnight
Next morning: Preheat the oven as guided and bake!
