French Bread, Sponge Method Dough

Name: French Bread, Sponge Method Dough
Ingredients: Sponge; 1 teaspoon yeast or 1/4-1/2 cup sourdough starter; 1 cup water; 1 cup flour; Finish; 1 teaspoon salt (don't add yet, but be sure not to forget it!); flour, enough to make a workable dough

7 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

Sponge
1 teaspoon yeast or 1/4-1/2 cup sourdough starter
1 cup water
1 cup flour
Finish
1 teaspoon salt (don't add yet, but be sure not to forget it!)
flour, enough to make a workable dough

Directions

1

Mix yeast or sourdough starter with water and 1 cup flour.
2

Cover and let rise overnight.
3

Add salt and enough flour to make a workable dough (I usually use 30-40% whole wheat flour for a more nutritious final product).
4

Knead, shape, and let rise until almost double.
5

Bake in a 450 degree F oven for ~20 minutes.
6

To acheive a better crust, preheat a shallow pan on bottom rack, and pour in 2 cups of water when you begin baking bread. This is one of the secrets to the desired crust on a French or Artisan bread.
7

Enjoy!