Sourdough Bread (What's Baking)

I have to apologize for the fact that I've been MIA. Between being pregnant, and then having a sick child, then a sick husband, and then a sick child again. life seems to have gotten away for my. But just because I didn't post during that time frame doesn't mean I haven't been cooking and baking up a storm. Stay tone for a bunch of blog updates over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, let me start with this month's what baking challenge. This month Lindsay from http://peaceloveandfrenchfries.com/ is our host. Lindsay challenged everyone to bake with YEAST. Yes, yeast I'll admit I've baked with yeast before, but it still intimidates me at times, I don't know why, but it just does.

Lucky for me this time around I had another success! Please make sure to check out Lindsay's blog at the end of the month for a full roundup of what everyone submitted this time around.

Like always...Happy baking!

Recipe source: Allrecipes.com

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F), divided
7 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
Cornmeal
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO DO:
In a 4-qt. non-metallic bowl, dissolve yeast in 2 cups warm water and let stand for 5 minutes.

Stir in 2 cups of flour until smooth, once combined cover loosely with a clean towel.

Let stand in a warm place (80 degrees F-90 degrees F) to ferment for 48 hours during this period stir several times daily.

The mixture will become bubbly and rise, have a "yeasty" sour aroma and a transparent yellow liquid will form on the top.

Stir in milk powder, butter, sugar, salt, remaining water and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.

Turn onto a floured surface; punch dough down.

Divide in half. Shape each into a round loaf.

Heavily grease a two loaf pans, and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Place dough on prepared pans, cover and allow it rise until doubled. This should take about 30 minutes.

With a sharp knife, make slashes down the middle of each loaf.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Brush loaves with cold water; bake 35-40 minutes longer or until golden brown.