Sourdough Bread

I had never made sourdough bread before, so I thought I'd do a little research and give it a go.  I found a recipe that didn't appear to be too complicated and tried it.  I was pleasantly surprised at how UN-complicated it is...and the results----Really Worth It!!!!!  Hubby gave it a thumbs-up, and I will definitely keep feeding my sourdough stater for more breads.  This should be awesome throughout the summer.  You could mix up a batch anytime, and it'll be a great side to barbecued meats or fish.  It will be especially good for those big backyard brnnches when there's lots of family visiting and on the weekends.  Check out the recipe here.

Here's how my starter took off on Day 1.  Shortly after I took this photo, I wrapped the bowl in plastic and put it in the refrigerator.
 

A couple of days later, I ttok out 1 1/c cups of starter to make a loaf.  Here is my dough after the first rise....

 ......so I kneaded it down on a floured pastry sheet, shaped it and placed it in the baking pan---and put it aside for the second rise.........(NOTE***I put a clean kitchen towel over the rising dough, and placed it in  the oven, with just the oven light on.  It rose to more than double its size in about 1 1/2 hours)

After it rose for the second time, I lightly scored the top with a sharp serrated knife,and put it back in the preheated oven.


Mmm--does this look good, or what?? It baked to a beautiful golden color, was as light as a feather and smelled delicious..........

....now for the final test----the bread had  that beautiful sourdough texture, and tasted delicious!!!!

I can't wait to bake up another loaf-------sourdough starter, anyone????

Cheers

:)