Sourdough French Bread

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package yeast
1 cup sourdough starter
6 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add starter, 4 cups flour, salt and sugar; stir vigorously with wooden spoon for about 4 minutes. Turn dough into greased bowl, turn to grease all sides. Cover with clean cloth and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Mix soda with 1 cup flour and stir into dough. Dough will be very stiff. Turn dough out onto floured board and begin kneading, adding remaining flour and more if necessary, so dough is not sticky. Knead dough for at least 10 minutes until surface is satin like. Shape into two long loaves, place on slightly greased baking sheet, cover and let rise in warm place until double in size, about 1 hour. Just before baking, brush top with water and make slashes across top of loaves with a sharp knife. Place a shallow pan of hot water in bottom of oven and place baking sheet on center rack. Bake in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes.


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