as promised, Dark Sourdough Rye

This is my current go-to bread recipe. It could also be called Aroma Therapy Bread as the aromatics take the beloved bread-baking smell to another level. This is designed to bake in a cast iron Dutch oven.

Water: 400 grams (1 2/3 cups), tepid.

Sourdough Starter: 70 grams (1/3 cup)

Dark Rye Flour: 245 grams (heaping 1 3/4 cups)

Bread Flour: 245 grams (heaping 1 3/4 cups)

Dark Cocoa: 2 Tbl

Molasses: 44 grams (2 Tbl)

Fennel Seed: 1 Tbl

Anise Seed: 1 Tbl

Salt: 1 3/4 tsp

Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, mix the starter into the water. Add the molasses, all the seeds and orange zest. I like to beat the seeds up in a mortar & pestle first to release more flavor.

In a separate bowl, combine the flours and salt. Note: I ran short of rye flour flour once and substituted buckwheat with delicious results! I would advise using buckwheat to substitute for rye to only about 50% as it results in a heavier, denser loaf, but it does add a lovely flavor - almost sweet.

Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet using a dough whisk or spoon (or a KitchenAid mixer) until the flour is well incorporated. Cover with plastic and let rest for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, mix again for a minute or two. Again, let it rest for 15 minutes and mix one more time as before. Now cover the bowl with plastic and let sit at room temperature for 12-14 hours. Leaving it overnight is perfect for a morning bake.

After the long 12-14 hour proof, stretch and fold the dough and shape into ball for baking. Line a bowl with a well-floured kitchen towel and put the dough in there for the final rise. Let rise for 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat your oven to 475 F 30 minutes before baking with the cast iron Dutch oven inside.

When it's time to put the bread in the oven, put on your oven mitts and pull the rack out. Take the lid off the Dutch oven and tip the dough into the very hot pot. Quickly score the dough with a sharp knife, put the lid back on and bake for 26 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 4 minutes. The internal temperature should be 200 F.