Garlic sourdough bread is a delightful variation of traditional sourdough bread that adds a burst of flavor and aroma to your baking. The process of making garlic sourdough bread involves infusing the dough with garlic, resulting in a beautifully tangy and fragrant loaf. Here, we will guide you through the steps of creating your very own homemade garlic sourdough bread.
Step 1: Prepare the Sourdough Starter
Before you can make garlic sourdough bread, you’ll need to have an active sourdough starter. If you don’t have one yet, follow this simple process to create your own:
- Mix equal parts of flour and filtered water in a glass jar.
- Cover the jar loosely with a clean cloth and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, discard half of the mixture and then feed the remaining starter with more flour and water, maintaining equal parts consistency.
- Repeat the feeding process daily, discarding and feeding as needed for about a week until your sourdough starter becomes active and bubbly.
Step 2: Roast the Garlic
To infuse your sourdough bread with rich garlic flavors, you’ll need to roast the garlic cloves before incorporating them into the dough:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Take a head of garlic, remove the outer layers of skin, and slice off the top to expose the cloves.
- Drizzle olive oil over the garlic head and wrap it tightly in aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped garlic in the preheated oven and roast it for 40-45 minutes until the cloves become soft and golden.
- Remove the garlic from the oven and let it cool before squeezing out the roasted cloves.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Sourdough Bread Dough
Now that you have an active sourdough starter and roasted garlic cloves, it’s time to combine them and create the garlic sourdough bread dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of active sourdough starter, 3 cups of bread flour, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 1 cup of warm water.
- Add the roasted garlic cloves and gently knead the dough until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough ferment at room temperature for 6-8 hours, or overnight, until it doubles in size.
Step 4: Shape and Proof the Garlic Sourdough Bread
After the dough has fermented, it’s time to shape your garlic sourdough bread and allow it to undergo a final rise before baking:
- Flour a clean work surface and gently transfer the dough onto it.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a round or oval loaf, tucking the edges underneath to create tension.
- Place the shaped loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet or inside a banneton (a proofing basket) for added support.
- Cover the loaves with a cloth or plastic wrap and let them proof for another 2-3 hours until they visibly rise and hold their shape.
Step 5: Bake and Enjoy
After the final proofing, your garlic sourdough bread is ready to bake to perfection:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a baking stone or an inverted baking sheet inside to preheat as well.
- If using a banneton, gently flip the proofed loaf onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (or onto a baking stone if not using a banneton).
- Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife or bread lame to create decorative patterns and allow for even expansion.
- Bake the garlic sourdough bread for 30-35 minutes or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped at the bottom.
- Once baked, transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing and savoring the irresistible flavors of homemade garlic sourdough bread.
With these simple steps, you can create a delicious homemade garlic sourdough bread that will impress your family and friends. Whether enjoyed on its own, used as a base for bruschetta, or paired with your favorite soups and stews, this flavorful bread is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.