Sourdough: the bread that makes our gut happy

For years we've been told that carbs are the enemy, and bread is public enemy number one. But what if I were to tell you that there's a type of bread that's actually good for you? A bread that makes your gut happy instead of sad?

That bread is sourdough.

Sourdough is made using a wild yeast starter, which means it's packed full of probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for our gut health, and they've been linked to a whole host of health benefits, including improved digestion, stronger immunity, and reduced inflammation.

So why isn't everyone making sourdough bread? Well, the answer is simple: because everyone thinks it's too hard. But I'm here to tell you that it's not as difficult as you think. In fact, once you get the hang of it, it's really quite easy.

How to Make Sourdough Bread

Making sourdough bread can be a two-day process, but the actual hands-on time is only about 30 minutes. The first day is when you make the starter, and the second day is when you use the starter to make the bread. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own sourdough starter and bread:

Day 1: Make the starter

1. Combine equal parts flour and water in a jar or bowl. I like to use 1 cup (120 grams) of each, but you can use more or less depending on how much bread you want to make.

2. Stir until combined, then cover with a clean towel or coffee filter and set aside in a warm place for 24 hours.

3. After 24 hours, your starter should be bubbly and doubled in size. If it's not, give it another day or two. Once your starter is ready, you can use it to make bread or keep it going by feeding it more flour and water (I like to feed mine every two to three days or so when it sits in the fridge). If your starter sits on the counter you need to feed it every day.

Pssst…. for best-tasting bread, I use 6-7 day starter, it’s got amazing flavours, and it’s nicely fermented.

Day 2: Make the bread

Ingredients:

280g Filtered water

500g Baker’s Flour

2 tsp. Salt

300g Sourdough Starter

1. Preheat your oven to 480 degrees Fahrenheit (250 degrees Celsius). You’ll need a Dutch oven for best results; place it in the oven now so it has time to heat up.

2. Combine 500 grams of flour, 280g of filtered water, and 2 teaspoons of salt in a large bowl, add your starter and stir until everything is well combined.

3. Place the dough in a greased bowl, form into a ball cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for an hour.

5. Keeping dough in the bowl, gently stretch and fold dough out and over itself 4 times every 30 minutes.

5.. After rising, place on a flour-dusted surface and stretch into a rectangle.

6. Fold the shorter sides of dough into a rectangle, fold in half and shape into a ball.
7. Place the loaf , seam side down into a bread basket. Cover with towel and set aside to rise for 30 min.

8. Score loaf with a few shallow cuts.

9. Place bread into a hot dutch oven and put the lid on immediately.

10. Bake for 20 min, then remove the lid and bake for another 10 min or until cooked and the crust is golden brown.
11. Place on a wire rack to cool before slicing to serve.

Enjoy!

Now that you know how easy it is to make sourdough bread, there's no excuse not to give it a try!

Not only is sourdough healthier than other types of bread thanks to its probiotic content, but it also tastes delicious—slightly tangy with a chewy texture that's just begging to be slathered with butter or jam.

So what are you waiting for? Get baking!