Sourdough bread

For the starter (more of each to ‘feed’ the starter)

• 130g white spelt flour (unbleached)
• 40g wholemeal spelt flour
• 200ml tepid water

For the dough

• 140g starter
• 250ml water
• 320g white spelt flour, sieved, plus some for dusting
• 160g wholemeal spelt flour
• Pinch of sea salt

Equipment

• Glass jar or bowl for the starter
• 1 proving basket dusted with flour or a Pyrex pan with lid

Method

First, make the starter (it will take a good seven days)

1. To start your starter, place the flours and water in a glass bowl or jar. Make sure to weigh the glass jar before so you can be more accurate when you replenish each day. It’s also good to label so you know the date you started.
2. Mix well with a spoon or spatula until it’s combined well and there are no dry clumps. Cover with a piece of cloth/muslin or a loose-fitting lid. Set aside in the kitchen at room temperature (around 20°C) for 24 hours.
3. The starter should begin to bubble slightly the next day. Use a quarter of your starter or around 90g (throw out the rest). Combine with a further 100g white spelt flour, 20g wholemeal spelt flour and 100ml water. Stir and add a little more water if it looks dry. It should look similar to batter before you feed it and should increase in size just after you have fed it. Cover again and set aside in your resting place.
4. Repeat this process every day, taking a quarter of the mixture, feeding it and leaving it to rest at room temperature. At around five to nine days, it should start to smell a little acidic and be filled with bubbles – this means it’s active. You can carry this on indefinitely.

To make the dough

1. Put the dough ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly, then add the active starter mixture and mix.
2. Knead until the dough is smooth and stretchy. Cover and leave for six to eight hours, folding it a few times throughout.
3. Split the dough in half and sit the two halves in the floured proving baskets if using, seam side upwards, or shaped as desired. Cover loosely with a tea towel and leave for two hours. Preheat the oven to its highest setting.
4. Turn the loaves out of the baskets onto a baking sheet, so the seam is on the bottom, and transfer the baking sheet directly to the oven. Bake for five minutes then turn the over down to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6 for a further 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.