Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (2024)

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  • by CFH Admin
  • June 23, 2022
  • 2 min read

Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (1)


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Working with sourdough makes many things possible as a home baker. For one, you get that delicious depth of flavor provided by sourdough that simply cannot be mimicked with commercial yeast. This stems from a longer fermentation and the complex nature of a sourdough starter in a sourdough bread starter kit which holds not only yeast but bacteria and acids as well. The other perk of sourdough is that it is not as volatile as commercial yeast. This buys me time in the kitchen. With a commercial yeast bread I might only have a couple of hours between mixing the bread and baking. This can create a high-pressure situation in which I must be very attentive and available during this small window of time for punching down and shaping and baking. Sourdough, on the other hand, gives me a larger window of time between the mixing and shaping stages and the final proof and baking. This is a real blessing to the busy home baker. You can plan these 4-12 hour stretches around other meals, time away from home, and sleeping patterns. And if that isn’t handy enough, use Erin’s tip for delayed fermentation in the refrigerator to buy sourdough starter you even more time. If that isn’t reason enough to work with sourdough, maybe this chewy, crusty-bottomed Italian bread will help. Make this loaf as-is or stir in chopped garlic and herbs for a delicious addition to any meal.


Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (2)

60 minutes

Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (3)

840 minutes

Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (4)

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INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT CULTURES FOR HEALTH

Artisan Sourdough Bread Kit

Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (5)

Artisan Sourdough Bread Kit

$50.99

This sourdough bread kit contains everything you need to get started making beautiful, tasty, artisan-style sourdough bread at home!

    Equipment in the sourdough bread starter kit may appear different than pictured.

    Sourdough Starter: San Francisco Style

    Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (6)

    Sourdough Starter: San Francisco Style

    $13.99

    Our Sourdough Starter Culture sets you up for bread-making success!

    The Sourdough Starter is an heirloom culture in a San Francisco style, meaning you'll make endless bread dough all from one starter! Just add water andwhite flour.

    One of the premier sourdough starters for sale online, Cultures for Health's San Francisco style starter has proven itself very versatile and hardy, happily thriving in a variety of environments to continually produce chewy, crusty, tangy sourdough loaves.

    Sourdough is perfect for beginners. It is a very forgiving culture and one of the easiest to work with!

    Click to download our Sourdough Recipe book, which has easy-to-follow tips and tricks and will help you create a perfect loaf of bread every time.

    INGREDIENTS IN MAKING ITALIAN SOURDOUGH BREAD:

    • 1 cup activesourdough starter, at its peak
    • 4 1/2 cup bread flour, plus more for kneading
    • 1 1/2 cup water
    • 1 Tbsp. honey
    • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
    • 2 1/2 tsp. salt

    INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOURDOUGH ITALIAN BREAD RECIPE:

    1. Mix all ingredients except salt in a large bowl, being sure that all of the ingredients are hydrated. The dough should be shaggy and wet. Cover and allow to sit, or autolyse, for 30 minutes.
    2. Sprinkle the salt over the dough and mix it in, stretching and folding the dough over itself as you go. The dough will be sticky but less so as the salt mixes in. Flour a clean work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Sprinkle the dough lightly with flour and knead gently for 5-8 minutes, adding more flour as needed. The dough should be tacky but not so sticky that it isn’t workable.
    3. Once the dough is soft and pliable, form it into a ball. Oil the mixing bowl you started with and place dough in, rough side up. Move the ball of dough around in the bowl so that the smooth portion is coated in oil. Flip it over and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Set aside to ferment for 8-12 hours, or overnight.
    4. In the morning, slice the dough in half while still in the bowl, being careful not to deflate it too much. Oil a baking sheet generously or line it with parchment paper. Sprinkle the oiled pan or parchment paper generously with flour or a coarse semolina or cornmeal. Flour your hands and scoop out one of the portions of dough. It will be fairly wet and sticky. Shape it roughly into a torpedo loaf, approximately 12″ long, pushing the dough together to make it as high and thin as you can. Place it on one side of the sheet pan. Repeat with the other dough.
    5. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to proof for 1.5 – 2 hours or until it is puffy. It won’t double in size but should spring up nicely in the oven.
    6. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap from the loaves, slash as desired with a very sharp knife, and place in hot oven. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate sheet pan, and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until it makes a hollow sound when the bottom is thumped or it reaches an internal temperature of 190 degrees.
    7. Move to a cooling rack. Serve warm, torn and dipped in olive oil or spread with butter. Or, cool completely and use for garlic bread or sub sandwiches.


    Do you love the taste of sourdough bread? Download our Sourdough Guide and Recipe today!

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      Italian Sourdough Bread Recipe | How To Make a Sourdough Italian Bread at Home - Cultures For Health (2024)

      FAQs

      Is Italian sourdough bread healthy? ›

      Sourdough is a healthier alternative to regular white or whole wheat bread. Although it has comparable nutrients, the lower phytate levels mean it is more digestible and nutritious. The prebiotics also help to keep your gut bacteria happy, and it may be less likely to spike blood sugar levels.

      Does homemade sourdough bread have probiotics? ›

      Yes, sourdough contains the gut-friendly lactobacillus bacteria, but the high heat of baking destroys these probiotics. So, unless you'd like to eat the raw dough, sourdough is not a probiotic food. However, it does have some digestive benefits.

      Is homemade sourdough bread healthy for you? ›

      According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system. Sourdough is also lower in gluten than other forms of bread.

      What happens if you eat sourdough bread everyday? ›

      Can you eat sourdough bread every day? It's good news for sourdough super-fans. 'Sourdough is rich in carbohydrates which should make up around 50% of our energy intake every day, so there's no problem with eating sourdough daily,' says Tilt, who adds; 'it's delicious and I often do!

      Which is healthier, sourdough bread or Italian bread? ›

      Sourdough bread is healthier than Italian bread. Like the other bread types touched on thus far, Italian bread is made using commercial yeast. Since Italian bread does not traditionally use wild yeast that ferments slowly, Italian bread does not have the enhanced nutritional content that sourdough bread has.

      What is the healthiest sourdough bread? ›

      Whole Foods Market Sourdough

      Whole Foods makes a high-quality, nutritionally balanced sourdough that packs in 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving. Most sourdough breads do not have a good source of fiber, making this one of the healthiest options on grocery shelves.

      Is homemade sourdough bread considered processed food? ›

      Any food which is altered during preparation is being processed - the greater the alteration, the more processing involved. A loaf of homemade sourdough bread, for example, is more processed than a bag of pre-cut green beans.

      Is homemade sourdough bread safe? ›

      Sourdough's Health Benefits

      Sourdough's long fermentation and rising time leads to changes in the bread that don't occur in conventional yeast-leavened breads. These changes may have health benefits for some people, especially those with certain digestive issues.

      Is homemade sourdough bread anti inflammatory? ›

      In conclusion, sourdough bread is more than just a tasty treat – it's incredibly good for your health. From its prebiotic and probiotic properties to its rich nutrient profile and ability to reduce inflammation, sourdough bread is a healthy and delicious addition to any diet.

      Is homemade sourdough bread healthier than store bought? ›

      Yes, homemade bread can be healthier than store-bought bread. You have control over the ingredients, which means you can use whole grains, add seeds and nuts for extra nutrition, and avoid any unnecessary additives or preservatives.

      What is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

      Here are our top 7 choices for wholesome, nutrient-dense breads.
      1. Sprouted whole grain. Sprouted bread is made from whole grains that have started to sprout from exposure to heat and moisture. ...
      2. Sourdough. ...
      3. 100% whole wheat. ...
      4. Oat bread. ...
      5. Flax bread. ...
      6. 100% sprouted rye bread. ...
      7. Healthy gluten-free bread.

      How much sourdough can I eat a day? ›

      The United States Department of Agriculture recommends 6 servings of grains per day. For reference, one slice of sourdough bread is a single serving. To determine if sourdough fits into your daily diet, check the total amount of servings of grains you are eating throughout the day.

      Who should not eat sourdough bread? ›

      People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid sourdough bread containing wheat, barley, or rye. Sourdough bread contains lower amounts of gluten, lower levels of antinutrients, and more prebiotics — all of which may help improve your digestion.

      How unhealthy is sourdough bread? ›

      The type of flour used — all-purpose, whole wheat, rye — can affect the nutritional content of sourdough bread, says Wee. But generally speaking, sourdough bread is a healthy option and can be eaten regularly as part of a nutritious, balanced diet.

      When should you not eat sourdough bread? ›

      As a general rule, you should throw out a loaf of sourdough bread when it shows visible signs of mold, when it has an unpleasant odor, or when it doesn't taste right. At this point, mold may be contaminating the bread below the surface, even if you can't see it.

      How many calories are in Italian sourdough bread? ›

      Per 1 Slice Serving: 80 calories; 0 g sat fat (0% DV); 180 mg sodium (8% DV); <1 g total sugars.

      Is sourdough bread good or bad for weight loss? ›

      With its lower calorie count and potential benefits for blood sugar regulation, sourdough bread offers a delicious and healthier alternative to regular bread. Remember, moderation and portion control are key to achieving your weight loss goals.

      Are there any benefits to eating sourdough bread? ›

      Sourdough contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients, making it super beneficial to your day-to-day health. Sourdough bread has small to moderate amounts of: iron, manganese, calcium, B1-B6, B12, folate, zinc, potassium, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin E.

      Why is sourdough bread not fattening? ›

      Sourdough bread's fiber, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium content all support a heart-healthy diet. The soluble fiber found in sourdough bread binds to dietary cholesterol in the small intestine, helping pass this fat through the system instead of absorbing it.

      References

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