Simple Levain Recipe
Have you ever wondered what is a levain when reading a bread recipe? A levain, also called a preferment, is essentially a scaled-up version of your existing sourdough starter.
Servings: 1 starter
Calories: 226kcal
Ingredients
- 50 grams Mature sourdough starter 3½ tbsp
- 50 grams Bread flour ¾ cup
- 35 grams Water ¼ cup + 1 tbsp
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the sourdough starter, bread flour, and water.50 grams Mature sourdough starter, 50 grams Bread flour, 35 grams Water
- Using a spoon or your hands, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
- Let the levain rise at room temperature (around 70°F/21°C) for 4-6 hours.
- During this time, the levain will become bubbly and roughly double in size. It may also develop a slightly domed shape.
- Your levain is ready to use when it reaches its peak volume and shows good activity.
Notes
- Use a mature and healthy sourdough starter for optimal results.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best activation of the yeast.
- The rising time can vary depending on room temperature.
- If your kitchen is cool, it might take closer to 6 hours for the levain to reach its peak.
Nutrition
Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.5mg