Just getting back from travels and of course the very first thing that I had to make was a loaf of bread — mainly because I had nothing to eat in the house. So I made this very standard German-style artisan loaf, a mix of wheat and rye flours. It’s hearty, it’s good. Makes a great sandwich or toast too.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (140 grams) sourdough starter
3/4 cup wheat bier, not refrigerator cold, not room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Malt Extract
2 tablespoons dark honey (I used avocado blossom honey)
2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 dark rye flour
3 teaspoons table salt
Directions
Mix the ingredients until they come together. Using the stretch and fold technique, stretch and fold the dough once every half an hour, and then let the dough rest for another half an hour. Repeat every half an hour six times for a total of 3 hours
At this point, you can put the dough in the refrigerator for a long, cold rise, or continue on below. If you choose to let the dough rise overnight, let it come to room temperature before proceeding.
Once the dough is at room temperature, place on a floured work surface. Gently stretch into a 10-inch rectangle. Fold the top of the dough to the bottom and lightly seal with the heel of the hand. Rotate the dough 90 degrees then fold the top of the dough to the bottom and lightly seal with the heel of the hand. Cup both hands around the dough and pull towards the body until the seam of the dough is on the bottom. Cover and let rest 15-20 minutes. Uncover the dough and cup with both hands. Gently push and pull the dough forwards and backwards, right and left, while applying gentle pressure to create a tight and smooth outer skin. Line a proofing basket or bowl with a clean linen, generously covered with flour. Place dough seam-side-up in the basket, cover and proof until puffy and an indentation does not spring back, 60-90 minutes.
Pre-heat your oven to 450F, with your lidded 4-5 quart round cast iron pot inside, for at least 30 minutes. Just before you are ready to bake, invert your bread from the proofing basket onto a piece of parchment paper, score and carefully place in the Dutch Oven. Careful, it is extremely hot!
Bake for 35 minutes with the lid on, and then 15 minutes with the lid off. Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.
