Subj : Sourdough French Bread To : All From : Ben Collver Date : Mon Jun 05 2023 10:21:36 MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06 Title: Sourdough French Bread Categories: Breads, Sourdough Yield: 1 Loaf 1 c Warm water; (105 to 115 -degrees F) 1 c Sourdough Starter 2 c All-purpose flour 2 ts Sugar 1 1/2 ts Salt 1/2 ts Baking soda 1 c All-purpose flour; -up to 1 1/2 c Water Mix 1 cup water, the Sourdough Starter and 2 cups flour in non-metallic bowl; cover loosely. Let stand in warm place until mixture bubbles and has a definite sour aroma, about 24 hours. Mix sugar, salt and baking soda into sourdough mixture. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Knead dough on well-floured board until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Roll dough into rectangle, 12x8 inches. Roll up, beginning at end. Pinch seam. Place loaf, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Fold ends under; cover. Let rise in warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Make 4 diagonal slashes, 1/4 inch deep, across top of loaf with sharp knife. Brush gently with water. Place shallow pan on bottom rack of oven; fill with boiling water. Bake bread in center of oven until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack. TIP: If a heavier crust is desired, remove loaf after 20 minutes of baking. Brush with a mixture of 1 ts salt and 3 tb water. Return to oven and bake until done, 5 to 10 minutes longer. MMMMM .