Now that you’ve grown your own starter (here’s my video to learn more), it’s time to make your own bread! And truly, it could not be a more rewarding process – You’re going to LOVE it.
Here are links for the tools you’ll need!
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Stand Mixer with Hook Attachment
Nonstick Spray (this one lets you chose your own oil)
Kitchen Scale
In the bowl of your mixer, combine:
- 1 part starter
- 1 part flour
- 1/2 part water + soaker (more on this in a minute)
We used 500 grams of starter, 500 grams of flour and 250 grams of water, weighed on a food scale.
What is a soaker? Great question! If you want to fortify your bread with seeds, nuts, or other grains, you absolutely can! Mix whatever you have to hand and cover in water for 24 hours. Add your soaker to your water!
Combine all ingredients (starter, flour, water+soaker) in your stand mixer. Using a hook attachment, mix on low for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, your dough should not stick to the walls of your mixing bowl. If your dough is still sticky, slowly add flour until it no longer sticks.
Remove your dough from your mixing bowl, and fold three times link an envelope (see the video for more information).
Place your dough in a greased bowl and let rise for 1 hr on the counter.
After letting the dough sit for 1 hour, remove from bowl again and tuck & turn your dough into the lovely shape you desire (directions at 07:45 in the video).
Return the dough to the bowl for another 3 hours, sprinkling the exterior with rice flour, and covering with a cloth.
Now it’s time to bake! Preheat your oven for 475 degrees F, and warm your cast iron dutch oven + lid for 45 minutes. Score your loaf, and place in heated dutch oven. Cook your loaf for 25 minutes at 475 with the lid on, remove lid, and cook for another 25 minutes uncovered.
Remove from oven, and let cool completely (you may hear your bread “sing” as steam is released.
ENJOY WITH LOVELY JAM!!
You can see more clips of me and Dr. JJ on Hallmark’s Home & Family.
I want to give a special shoutout to Dr. JJ Levenstein for lending her amazing knowledge of bread and bread making to this video. To learn more about Dr. JJ and her incredible work, you can check out her website, or you can email her directly at jj@callingdrjj.com!
And you can learn more about Blvd Kitchen (where we filmed this video) here. They offer classes for bakers of all ages in the Los Angeles area, definitely check them out!
