*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

               Sourdough French Bread, San Francisco Style

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Breads                           French

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2   c            Water -- hot
   1                    Pkg active dry yeast
   1       c            Sourdough starter
   4       c            Flour -- unsifted
   2       ts           Sugar
   2       ts           Salt
     1/2   ts           Soda
   2       c            Flour -- unsifted (approximate)

  Dissolve yeast in hot water, pour into large mixing bowl and mix
  with starter. Add 4 cups flour, sugar, and salt and stir vigorously
  for 3 or 4 minutes. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place
  until double in bulk, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Mix soda with 1 cup of the
  remaining flour and stir in; the dough will be stiff. Turn dough
  out onto a floured board and begin kneading; add the remaining
  1 cup flour or more if necessary to control the stickiness. Knead
  until satiny--between 5 and 10 minutes.
  
  Shape into oblong loaves or one large round loaf (my preference).
  Place on a lightly greased cooky sheet, cover, and place in a warm
  place; let rise to nearly double in size--time will depend on
  warmth of spot, 1-1/2 to 2 hours in most kitchens.
  
  Before baking, brush outside with water, make diagonal slashes
  across the top with a sharp single edge razor blade. Put a shallow
  pan of hot water in the bottom of the oven. Bake in a hot 400 F
  oven until the crust is a medium dark brown, about 45 minutes for
  oblong loaves and about 55 minutes for the large round loaf.
  
  For a more sour bread, leave out the yeast and 1/4 cup water but
  include the rest of the warm water, all the starter, 4 cups of
  flour, sugar, and salt. Set this sponge after stirring vigorously
  in the afternoon and allow to set over night in a covered bowl. In
  the morning dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup hot water and stir
  thoroughly into the sponge. Then add your additional flour and soda
  and follow the remainder of the instructions from there.


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