Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring sourdough starter to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl combine 2-1/2 cups of the flour and the yeast; set aside.
- In a saucepan heat and stir water, sugar, butter, and salt just until warm (120-130 deg.) and butter almost melts.
- Add to flour mixture.
- Add sourdough starter.
- Beat with until mixed and smooth, scraping bowl.
- Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
- On a lightly floured surface knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.
- Shape into a ball.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface.
- Cover and let rise until doubled.
- Punch dough down.
- Turn out on a lightly floured surface.
- Divide in half.
- Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.
- Lightly grease a large baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal.
- Shape each half of the dough into a ball, place on baking sheet, flatten to about a 6-inch circle.
- With a sharp knife make crisscross slashes, 1/4 inch deep, on the top of the loaves.
- Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375-deg.
- After heated place bread in oven and steam.
- Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes, or till bread tests done.
- Cool on a wire rack.