01/07/2026
I’ve been practicing sourdough for a few months now, and I still remember how intimidating it felt in the beginning. I used Basic sourdough recipe was giving to me by neighborhood lady. It’s simple, reliable, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment beyond a Dutch oven.
Here’s how I usually make it:
I start with 125 grams of active sourdough starter and mix it into 325 grams of warm water. Once it’s dissolved, I add 500 grams of bread flour and about 9 to 12 grams of fine sea salt, depending on how salty I want the bread. The dough at this stage is sticky and shaggy, and that’s completely normal.
For the bulk fermentation, I let it sit at room temperature for about 4 to 6 hours. During the first two hours, I do stretch and folds every 30 to 45 minutes. This step is key for developing structure without kneading. I just lift one side of the dough, fold it over, turn the bowl, and repeat four times.
After that, I gently turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round. I place it in or a bowl lined with a floured parchment paper then cover it and let it rest. Sometimes I give it another 1 to 2 hours at room temperature, but most days I prefer to put it in the fridge overnight or 2 days for better flavor.
The next morning, I preheat my oven to 475°F with the Dutch oven inside. Once everything is hot, I score the dough and bake it covered for 25 minutes covered . Then I remove the lid and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is deep golden.