Well, I guessed and I by goshed, and I did everything wrong. And I came up with 2 great loaves of sourdough bread!

I was supposed to leave the preferment for 8-12 hours. It sat there for 2 days, in a VERY cold kitchen. I wanted to add citric acid to help with the browning, but instead I used a 1/2 tsp (or so) of bottled lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of sugar. I kneaded it mostly by machine, some by hand. I guessed at the baking temperature.

It’s chewy and sour and substantial. I absolutely love it. And my mother wants something LESS chewy and LESS sour. So, I’ll make her a regular loaf of white bread with eggs and Silk. And I’LL eat the sourdough.