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Mindful Sourdough Bread

Stress Relief with a Mindful Sourdough Bread Recipe

This mindful sourdough bread recipe gives you structure without rigidity. At the same time, you’ll practice presence while building a reliable rhythm.
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Prep Time 1 day 12 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 day 12 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 2 Loaves
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Mindful Baking/ Sourdough
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g active starter
  • 600 g room temperature water Starter & water: Whisk until milky. Pause to notice aroma; you’re starting from life, not hurry.
  • 900 g organic unbleached bread flour Flour: Mix until no dry spots remain. Expect a shaggy dough. If you feel tension rise, unclench your jaw before the next step.
  • 22 g pink Himalayan salt

Method
 

  1. Salt & rest — Sprinkle in 22 g salt. Cover and rest 30 minutes. Then press salt in with clean fingertips until fully incorporated. Let rest be rest; you don’t have to earn it.
  2. Stretch & fold (bulk) — Perform four rounds every 30 minutes. Keep covered between rounds. If your kitchen runs cool, place the bowl in the oven with the light on between rounds and for an extra 30 minutes after the fourth fold. You are strengthening the dough slowly—let time help
  3. Divide & shape — Gently divide into two pieces. Shape into rounds or ovals. Gentle hands make strong structure.
  4. Cold proof — Dust bannetons with rice flour. Place loaves seam-side up. Bag loosely and refrigerate 8–24 hours. A long rest offers you flexibility and calmer mornings.
  5. Bake — Preheat a Dutch oven to 500°F (260°C). Load dough, cover, reduce to 450°F (232°C), bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 20–30 minutes more until deep golden. Internal temp 207–210°F (97–99°C) signals set crumb. Trust what you see, not just the timer.
  6. Cool — Transfer to a rack. Wait at least three hours before slicing. Patience here protects texture and keeps the crumb tender.

Notes

 
  • Mindful baking tip: Each pause is an invitation to slow your pace, notice your senses, and release tension. Over time, sourdough becomes more than bread—it becomes a rhythm of presence.