Are you tired of seeing social media posts showcasing elaborate bread-making tools and wondering if you need them to bake delicious sourdough bread? As a passionate baker in the DFW area of Texas, I've discovered that you can create beautiful artisanal loaves without breaking the bank on specialized equipment.
Let me guide you through the process of baking sourdough bread using items you likely already have in your kitchen.
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Ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
- Salt
- Yeast (if not using a sourdough starter)
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Equipment Needed:
- Measuring cups
- Fork
- Small kitchen bowl
- Kitchen towel
- Casserole dish
- Cookie sheet
- Sharp knife (e.g., steak knife)
- Oven
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No Scale Needed: Embrace Measuring Cups Forget about precise measurements with a scale. Instead, grab your trusty measuring cups. They're readily available in every kitchen and are perfectly adequate for achieving great results.
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Ditch the Dough Whisk: Use a Fork Don't worry about investing in a dough whisk. A simple fork does the job just fine. Embrace the tactile experience of feeling the dough's texture with your hands—it's an essential part of the bread-making process.
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Banish the Banneton: Opt for a Kitchen Bowl and Towel You don't need a fancy banneton. Line a small kitchen bowl with a generously floured kitchen towel. This makeshift proofing basket works just as effectively and costs next to nothing.
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No Dutch Oven? No Problem Don't fret if you don't own a Dutch oven. Create steam in your oven by placing a casserole dish with a cookie sheet on top. This technique mimics the steamy environment of a Dutch oven, ensuring a crispy crust without the need for expensive equipment.
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Scoring Without a Bread Lame Instead of investing in a bread lame, use a sharp steak knife for scoring. While it may not offer the same precision, it gets the job done without any extra cost.
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Bake and Enjoy Preheat your oven, transfer the shaped dough into the makeshift casserole dish, and bake according to your recipe. The result? A beautiful, delicious loaf of sourdough bread that's ready to feed your family.
By embracing simplicity, you'll not only save money but also discover the joy of resourcefulness in the kitchen. So, next time you're tempted by those flashy bread-making tools on social media, remember that all you really need are the basics to create something truly extraordinary.
Happy baking!
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Instructions:
- Mix Dough: Combine flour, water, salt, and yeast (if needed) until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead by Hand: Use a fork or your hands to knead the dough until smooth.
- Proofing: Line a small kitchen bowl with a floured kitchen towel. Place the dough in the bowl and let it proof overnight in the fridge.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F with a casserole dish and cookie sheet inside.
- Score Dough: Remove the dough from the fridge, score the top with a sharp knife, and cover it in flour.
- Bake: Transfer the dough to the preheated casserole dish, add a small bowl of ice for steam, and bake for 25 minutes with the cookie sheet on top. Then, remove the cookie sheet and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Enjoy: Allow the bread to cool before slicing and serving.
For video tutorial on my TikTok, click here!
Sydney Chastain is the founder of JOY Artisan Bakery, located in Coppell, TX. We serve the DFW area with the best sourdough artisanal bread, made from scratch and with JOY in every bite.
Find us at the Coppell Farmer's Market and pick up your weekly sourdough bread, bagels, cookies, and more!