Sourdough Pizza Bread

 So good.   Great to eat  dipped in ranch dressing or with a salad.  I think it would be great to use instead of a hamburger bun to make a cheeseburger.  

SOURDOUGH PIZZA BREAD

(makes 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

*1/3 cup sourdough starter 

*3/4 cup smooth pizza sauce

*1 cup filtered water

*3 3/4 cups bread flour

*1/2 cup whole wheat flour

 *1 teaspoon salt

*1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided into thirds

*1/4 cup pepperoni, chopped small, divided into thirds 

Topping Ingredients:

*1/4-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

*1/8-1/4  cup pepperoni, chopped small

Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, stir 1/3 cup active sourdough starter, 3/4 cup pizza sauce, and 1 cup filtered water until well combined.

~In another bowl, whisk 3 3/4 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 1 teaspoon salt until dough is shaggy and all the flour is mixed in.

~Cover and allow to rest for 1 hour.

~Stretch and fold, by grabbing one side of dough and stretching it upwards and fold it over it self.  Turn a quarter turn and stretch and fold again.  Do this four times turning bowl a quarter turn after each stretch.

~Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

~Time for one more stretch and fold.  Stretch and fold, then turn.  For the next 3 stretch and folds and 1/3 of the 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the 1/4 cup chopped pepperoni before folding and turning.  Turn and add another 1/3 of cheese and pepperoni.  Turn once again and add remaining 1/3 cheese and pepperoni.  

~Gently tuck the dough under itself. 

~Cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

~Stretch and fold one more time, trying to keep toppings inside of dough.

~Cover and allow dough to rest until doubled and it's bubbly, jiggly, and has a slight dome (5-8 hours).

~Shape dough and place in a floured bowl seam side up.

~Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees for 40 minutes with dutch oven in it.

~Flip dough  and score top.

~Place into hot dutch oven.

~Cover and bake for 35 minutes.

Topping Directions:

~Remove from oven and add 1/4-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/8-1/4 cup chopped pepperoni in the slits from  where you scored the bread.

~Return to oven uncovered and bake another 10-15 minutes or until deep golden brown (internal temp 205).

~Remove from dutch oven and place on a cooling rack.

~Do not cut until completely cooled.