SOURDOUGH BREAD

Here is a recipe for sourdough bread that I think you will really like. I have tried many and find this was the only one that would work. My family just loves the bread. I always double the recipe so I never have any starter left to reuse. I make french bread loaves out of mine. Hope you find it as enjoyable as we do. It is well worth the work.

Sourdough Bread
Starter
1 3/4c. unsifted flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1Tbsp. salt
1 Pkg. yeast or 2 1/2 tsp.
2 1/2 c. warm water

Dough
5-6c. unsifted flour 1 pkg. yeast
3 Tbsp. sugar 1 c. milk
1tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. starter

To make starter, combine flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast in large bowl. Gradually add warm water to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Cover and let stand at room temperature 4 days. Stir down daily.

To make dough, combine 1 cup flour sugar, salt dry yeast in a large bowl. Combine milk and butter in pan; heat over low heat until warm. Gradually add to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Add 1 1/2 cups starter and 1 cup flour, or enough to make a thick batter. Beat at high 2 minutes. Stir in additional flour to make soft dough. Turn out on floured board and knead until smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl; cover and let rise about 1 hour until double. Punch down and let rest about 15 minutes. Shape and let rise about 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

To re-use starter: add 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water, 3/4 cup flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar to unused starter. Beat 1 minute at medium speed. Cover and let stand. Stir down daily. Follow all the same directions for original recipe.