Garlic Rosemary Sourdough Bread

Seven Steps to Making This Loaf

1. Activate the start ^†4–8 hours before you want to make the dough you must activate the start. Mix ¼ cup start with ½ cup (120 grams) water and ¾ cup (120 grams)* flour. Let it sit covered until it is bubbly and thick and smells sweet (approximately 6 hours). Your start is ready when it floats in water.
   (Be sure to always save some starter for your next batch. Feed it flour and water daily, otherwise, store it in the fridge. It can stay there indefinitely, but the longer it has been in there, the longer it will take to activate. Do not store start in a metal container. )
2. Mix
   In a large glass bowl or stand-mixer combine water, starter, flours, fresh rosemary, and minced garlic.Mix just until ingredients are combined, but do not knead the dough. Let it rest for 30 min.
   Then add 2 Tbsp salt and ¼ cup water. Mix the water and salt into the dough, cover, and “turn” your dough (see next step).
3. Stretch and Fold Dough
   Now “turn” your dough.  First, dip a hand in water, then reach in, grab the bottom edge of the dough and pull up, stretching it, and folding it on top of itself. Do this four times all around the bowl. This all counts as one full “turn.”  Let it sit covered for 30 minutes. Then turn your dough again.  Let it sit covered for another 30 minutes. Turn your dough one final time.
4. Bulk Rise
   Next, let the dough sit for its bulk rise (8-12 hours).
   Tip: warmer temperatures will result in dough that is ready sooner, and colder temperatures will require the dough to sit longer. 
5. Bench and Shape
   Dump your dough onto a floured or oiled surface. Using a bench knife, cut dough in half to form two loaves. Let sit for 30 minutes (this is the bench rest).  Fold the dough to create tension and shape into a boule.  Start at one edge and fold the dough over toward the center. Then roll the dough up like a jelly roll, turn and repeat several times until the dough tension itself more tightly together.  Using a dough blade or your hands, turn the dough in a flat circle until it shapes into a ball.
6. Proof the Dough
   Place on a floured towel or oiled parchment paper and set in a bowl.  Cover bowl with a lid and let rise until doubled (45 min to 1½  hours depending on temperature).  The dough is ready when it is puffy but has not yet doubled in size.
7. Score & Bake
   20 minutes before baking time, place your dutch oven in the oven to preheat at 475°F (246°C).  When the oven is ready, score the top of each loaf. Place the dough in a dutch oven and splash water in it with your fingers before covering with the lid. Bake for 30 minutes in the dutch oven, until the bread is golden brown.
   Remove and cool completely before cutting (1-2 hours). Enjoy!