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Loaves

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Sourdough

Savory, bright, and absolutely gorgeous with ruby-red tomato pockets and green herb flecks throughout the crumb. This Italian-inspired sourdough is stunning sliced on its own, and it makes the most extraordinary grilled cheese you have ever tasted in your life. Bake it once and it'll be in your regular rotation, I promise you that.

Prep
75 min
Bake
45 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Total
120 min

What You'll Need

bread flour450g
semolina flour50g
adds a slightly nutty, golden quality; sub all-purpose if unavailable
filtered water, divided370g
345g for autolyse, 25g for salt
active sourdough starter100g
100% hydration
fine sea salt10g
oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped100g (about ΒΎ cup)
fresh basil leaves, torn3 tablespoons
about 12 large leaves
olive oil from the tomato jar2 tablespoons
full of flavor β€” do not waste it
garlic cloves, minced4 cloves
finely grated Parmesan2 tablespoons
plus extra to coat the banneton

Let's Get Baking

1

Autolyse with tomato oil

60 min

Mix bread flour and semolina flour together. Add 345g water and the 2 tablespoons of oil from the tomato jar. Mix until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest 45–60 minutes.

2

Add starter and salt

30 min

Add starter and salt dissolved in remaining 25g water. Squeeze through fingers for 2–3 minutes until fully incorporated. Cover and rest 30 minutes.

3

Fold in add-ins

60 min

During the second set of stretch and folds, add the sun-dried tomatoes, torn basil, minced garlic, and Parmesan. Fold gently to distribute throughout the dough.

4

Continue stretch and folds and bulk fermentation

300 min

Perform 2 more sets of stretch and folds, then bulk ferment at 75Β°F for 3–5 hours until dough has grown about 75% and is bubbly. The tomato oil will tint the dough a warm pinkish-gold.

5

Pre-shape and rest

20 min

Turn dough onto a floured surface. Pre-shape into a round. Rest 20 minutes uncovered.

6

Final shape with Parmesan crust

15 min

Shape into a tight boule. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan into the bottom of a well-floured banneton. Place dough seam-side up on top of the Parmesan β€” it will form a golden, savory crust on the top of the baked loaf. Cover and refrigerate 8–14 hours.

7

Preheat Dutch oven

60 min

Preheat Dutch oven in a 500Β°F oven for at least 45–60 minutes.

8

Score and bake

45 min

Flip cold dough onto parchment β€” the Parmesan will now be face-up, gorgeous. Score with a cross or star pattern. Bake covered at 500Β°F for 20 minutes. Remove lid, reduce to 450Β°F, bake 22–25 minutes until deep golden brown with caramelized tomato bits on the crust. Cool fully β€” at least 1 hour β€” before slicing.

sourdoughloafsun-dried tomatobasilItaliansavoryintermediate

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