Heavenly Fresh Milled Sourdough Bread Recipe: A Craft of Cultures

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine fresh milled flour and water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Add the active sourdough starter and salt to the dough, mixing until fully incorporated.
3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until doubled in size, performing stretch and folds every 30 minutes for the first two hours.
5. Turn dough onto a floured surface, gently pre-shaping into a round. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes before final shaping into a tight round or oblong shape.
6. Transfer the shaped dough into a proofing basket. Cover and let rise for another 2-4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
7. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a baking stone or heavy baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes.
8. Carefully turn the dough onto parchment. Score the top with a sharp knife or lame. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
9. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing.