Sourdough bread

Never done it before - just made my starter. Now have to wait 4 days. 

 

Is this his going to be a load of pointless fooking about or is it worth sticking with?

you have to embrace the process, which does include a lot of fooking about. if you don’t enjoy that for it’s own sake I wouldn’t bother. also, if you forget the salt the bread will be really bland.

Totally worth it mate. Started mine two weeks ago, now awash in delicious loaves and pizzas.

if your starter looks a bit peaky at any point chop up some grapes and chuck them in. It fooking loves grapes. 

Make sure the bit of starter you use to start your dough is really lively.

Don’t rush the rise and proving.  Let each stage get good and puffy.  Room temp affects this, and consequently time taken significantly.

Hot, hot oven.

And if you can, bake within a Dutch oven (or equivalent, e.g., cast iron casserole of the le Creuset variety), as this creates a moist micro-climate to assist the initial oven rise and ensure a good crust.

Even if you don’t do any of this you will get a good loaf with a bit of time and care.