Rustic Country Bread Recipe

The day before making bread place 3/4 cup spring water 1/4 teaspoon bread machine yeast and 1 3/4 cup bread flour into pan of a bread machine. Select dough cycle and let knead for 5 minutes. Stop machine and let rise overnight.

The next day pour starter from bread machine pan into a non-metallic container. Reserve 1/3 cup for this recipe and freeze remainder for later use.

In a large bowl mix together 1/3 cup reserved starter 1 cup spring water 1/2 teaspoon yeast 2 cups bread flour whole wheat flour and salt. Select Dough Cycle; press Start. After 10 minutes remove dough from machine and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise until doubled about 2 hours. Deflate dough and let rise again until doubled about 1 hour.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a round loaf. Place loaf on a baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled about 40 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Spray loaf with water and place in preheated oven. Spray loaf again every two minutes during the first 10 minutes of baking. Bake for 40 minutes until bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped.