Sour Dough "French" Bread
Submitted by Summermoon

Here's the recipe for my favorite Sour Dough "French" Bread. My family has passed this recipe around for many years. You will love it! Have fun!

1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups sour dough starter -- (see recipe below)
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups flour
1 cup flour -- for kneading

In bowl - sprinkle yeast over warm water. Let disolve 5 minutes.
Stir in sugar, starter and salt.
Add flour (4 cups) gradually.
Cover with damp cloth and let set 1 1/2 hours.

Knead in last cup of flour (or more if needed) 5 to 10 minutes.
Shape into 2 round loaves and place on cookie sheets (I use cake pans)
Let rise 1 1/2 hours.

Place a pan of water on lower oven shelf - lower top shelf and bake at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until good and brown.

Will keep well.

Description:  "Nice crusty french loaf (you better double the recipe, it won't last long)"

Yield:  "2 loaves"

Sour Dough Starter

1 envelope dry yeast
3 cups warm water
2 cups all-purpose flour

Mix together well adn put in large jar or bowl - cover and let set in warm room 48 hours.  Stir two or three times during setting - will smell SOUR.

Yield:  Approximately "3 cups"

NOTES : You may use part or all of the starter - I find after its put in refrigerator it doesn't work as well, so I double the bread and use it all. If when I double the bread recipe I don't have three cups of starter, I add a little more water when I'm fixing the yeast and I also use 3 pkgs of yeast.