Ingredients
Method
- Mix bread flour, whole wheat flour, water, brine, and starter in a bowl until no dry flour remains. Cover and rest 30 minutes. Sprinkle salt, dill, and pickles over the dough and fold until evenly distributed.
- Cover and rest 30 minutes. Perform a stretch-and-fold series. Repeat 3 to 4 more times at 30-minute intervals, then let the dough bulk ferment until increased by 50% and jiggly.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pre-shape into a round, and rest 20 minutes. Shape into a tight boule and place seam side up in a floured banneton.
- Cover and proof overnight in the refrigerator for 12 to 16 hours, or at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours until puffy. Preheat oven with a Dutch oven inside to 450°F (230°C). Turn loaf onto parchment, score deeply.
- Lower dough into the hot Dutch oven. Bake with lid on for 25 minutes, then remove lid and bake 20 minutes more until deep golden and hollow-sounding. Cool fully on a rack, then slice and serve.
Notes
The hands-on prep time does not include the bulk fermentation or proofing, which can take 4 to 12 hours plus an overnight cold rest. Choose the timing that works best for your schedule. Cold proofing deepens the sourdough tang and makes the dough easier to score.
