Dirty martini sourdough with olive dipping oil
Method
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1. Start the dough the day before you want to serve the bread. Drain the jar of olives into a colander set over a bowl. Set the olives aside and measure out the brine – you should have around 170g. Top up with the 32°C water to get a total weight of 350g
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2. Combine the water-brine mixture with the flours in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix for 3½ minutes on a low speed until combined. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rest for 45 minutes
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3. Add the starter and mix for 10 minutes on a low speed, then add the salt and mix on a medium-high speed for 2 minutes until well combined and cohesive
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4. Cover and leave the dough to bulk ferment for 1 hour
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5. Add the olives to the top of the dough and, using wet hands, grab one side of the dough, stretch it upwards, then fold it over the centre. Repeat this 3 times, rotating the bowl 90 degrees each time
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6. Cover and leave again for 1 hour
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7. Repeat the above folding process then leave for 1 more hour
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8. After this hour, the dough should look aerated and feel stronger – if it hasn’t increased in volume by at least 50-75% at this point leave for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, until aerated – how quickly the dough ferments will depend on the temperature of the dough and kitchen
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9. Carefully tip the dough out onto a work surface – you want to keep it aerated. Shape it into a round using a dough scraper by tucking the edges under and pulling it towards you to create surface tension on the top. Leave to dough to rest for 15-20 minutes (dust the top with a little flour and cover with a tea towel if its drafty in the kitchen, to stop it drying out)
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10. Dust a banneton proving basket and the work surface with flour
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11. Using a dough scraper, gently but confidently flip the dough over onto the floured surface so the bottom is now the top. Pull the outsides in over the top, stitching together to create surface tension on the bottom, then gently roll the dough up tightly and tuck in the edges with your hands so the dough is a tight and round shape – try not to rip the surface of the dough
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12. Transfer to the banneton, seam-side upwards then cover with a tea towel. Place in the fridge for 8-12 hours
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13. The next day, preheat the oven to 230°C with a dutch oven inside for 30-45 minutes – it needs to be very hot. If you don’t have a dutch oven you can preheat a pizza stone or thick baking tray in the middle of the oven with a roasting tray on the bottom of the oven
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14. Using oven gloves, remove the dutch oven and take off the lid (be careful as it will be very hot)
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15. Gently invert the dough onto a square of baking paper and score the top with a razor blade or small sharp knife. Transfer the bread on the paper into the dutch oven then use oven gloves to put the hot lid back on
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16. Bake for 20 minutes. Alternatively, if you’re baking on a pizza stone, transfer the dough onto the stone, add a generous splash of water into the roasting tray underneath to create steam and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through and a golden brown colour to your liking
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17. After 20 minutes with the lid on, carefully remove the dutch oven and remove the lid. Return the pot to the oven and bake uncovered for a further 20-30 minutes, or until the bread is cooked through and a golden brown colour to your liking
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18. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool
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19. As the bread cools, make a puttanesca-inspired dipping oil. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon zest and juice until emulsified. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Transfer to a small serving bowl and set aside in the fridge until you’re ready to serve
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20. Slice and serve the cooled bread with the dipping oil