🍲 **Artisan Sourdough Bread 🍞**

This artisan sourdough bread is a labor of love that transforms simple ingredients into a crusty, flavorful loaf. With a little patience and technique, you can create a bread that is not only delicious but also a joy to make.

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🌍 **What Is Artisan Sourdough Bread?**

Artisan sourdough bread is a traditional bread made through a natural fermentation process, utilizing wild yeast and bacteria present in the environment. This method gives the bread its unique flavor, texture, and character, making it a favorite among bread enthusiasts.

🧾 **Ingredients**

**Base:**

- 80 g white flour

- 80 g whole wheat flour

- 160 g water

- 1 tablespoon sourdough starter

- 1050 g water (for the main dough)

- 300 g lean dough (premixed)

- 1350 g white bread flour (preferably King Arthur)

- 150 g whole wheat flour (for the main dough)

- 30 g salt

- 75 g water (for mixing with salt)

**Optional:**

- Rice flour (for dusting the basket)

- Additional flour for shaping

👩‍🍳 **Step-by-Step Instructions**

1. **Prepare the Leaven:**

- In a bowl, mix together:

- 80 g white flour

- 80 g whole wheat flour

- 160 g water

- 1 tablespoon sourdough starter

- Stir until well combined, then let it sit for 8 hours.

2. **Mix the Dough:**

- After 8 hours, in a large container, combine:

- 1050 g water

- 300 g of your prepared leaven

- Mix together with your hands.

- Add:

- 1350 g white bread flour

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- 150 g whole wheat flour

- Mix until combined, being careful not to overwork the dough. Let it rest for 25-40 minutes.

3. **Incorporate Salt and Water:**

- Sprinkle 30 g of salt over the dough and add 75 g of water.

- Using damp hands, mix the salt and water into the dough, scraping it from the sides.

4. **Stretch and Fold:**

- Every 30 minutes for 2 hours, stretch the dough by pulling it up and folding it over itself. Repeat this process four times.

- Keep your hands damp to prevent sticking.

5. **Divide and Refrigerate:**

- After the final stretch, transfer the dough to a floured surface and cut it in half.

- Weigh each half to ensure they are equal, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

6. **Shape the Dough:**

- The next morning, remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit for 30 minutes.

- Cut each half in half again, then shape each piece into a disc, using flour to prevent sticking.

7. **Prepare for Final Rise:**

- Place the shaped dough into baskets dusted with a mixture of half bread flour and half rice flour.

- Cover and let it rest in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours.

8. **Preheat the Oven:**

- Preheat your oven to 550°F (or as hot as it can go) with a cast iron pan inside.

9. **Score and Bake:**

- Once the dough has risen, gently invert it onto a pie or tart pan.

- Score the top with a sharp blade to create a design.

- Reduce the oven temperature to 450°F and place the dough in the cast iron pan, covering it.

- Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 minutes until golden brown.

10. **Cool and Enjoy:**

- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

🍽️ **How to Serve**

Enjoy your artisan sourdough bread fresh out of the oven, or toasted with a spread of butter. It pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or as a base for sandwiches.

💡 **Pro Tips**

- Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.

- Keep your hands damp while working with the dough to minimize sticking.

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- Be patient during the fermentation and resting stages; they are crucial for flavor development.

🔥 **Why You’ll Love This**

This artisan sourdough bread is not only a delightful culinary project but also yields a loaf that is far superior to store-bought options. With its crispy crust, airy interior, and complex flavor, it’s a true testament to the art of bread-making. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!