Let’s craft a loaf with soul! In a big bowl, mix the sourdough starter with the water—stir ‘til it’s a cloudy mess. Add the flour and salt, then mix with your hands or a spoon ‘til it’s a shaggy dough—no kneading yet!
Cover it with a damp towel and let it rest for 30 minutes—this is the autolyse, letting the flour soak up the water. It’s like giving the dough a little spa break—trust the process!
Now, stretch and fold—wet your hands, grab one side of the dough, stretch it up, and fold it over the center. Turn the bowl and repeat 3 more times. Do this every 30 minutes for 2 hours—builds that strength and those bubbles!
After the folds, cover it again and let it rise at room temp for 12-18 hours—until it’s doubled and jiggly. This is slow magic—go live your life while it does its thing!
Gently tip the dough onto a floured surface—shape it into a loose ball by folding the edges under. Let it rest for 20 minutes, then give it a final shape—tighten it up into a round. Place it seam-side up in a floured proofing basket or bowl lined with a towel. Let it rise again—1-2 hours ‘til puffy.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside—get it screaming hot! Flip the dough onto parchment, score the top with a sharp knife (make it pretty!), and carefully lower it into the pot. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover for 15 more—until it’s deep golden and crusty.
Pull it out—listen to that crackle! Let it cool on a rack for at least an hour—hard, I know, but it’s worth it. Slice into that crunchy crust, smell that tangy goodness, and enjoy—perfect plain, with butter, or anything you love. This is bread with heart!