Sourdough Bread - basic

Basic Sourdough Bread

1/2 cup active starter

3 to 4 cups flour plus more as needed and to dust work table

1 cup water

1/3 cup oil

1 tsp salt

2 tbs sugar -optional

Mix all together in big bowl.  Knead by hand for 10 minutes or using electric mixer with dough hook 5 minutes.   fold and stretch until in a round.   Repeat folding and stretching every 30 minutes for 2 hours.slather in oil to keep from drying out. Cover to rise.

Let rise until 50%, move to parchment lined pan or sheet. Score top to let rise and steam escape - either with razor, bread lame or steak knife depending on how fancy you want to get and if a design is wanted.Let rise again until 50%

Bake in round on parchment lined sheet at 350 for about 40 to 50 minutes.  Can tent with foil for first 30 to 40 minutes then brown for 10.

If using greased loaf pans, let rise until above the top rim, score and let rise again. Bake 350 for about 20 to 40 minutes keeping a close eye to not over brown. May want an empty pan with water to help steam bake for first 20 minutes then remove to brown