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Spiced Sourdough Bread
Mel & Magi

Spiced Sourdough Bread with Olive Oil

An incredibly aromatic artisan sourdough bread enriched with olive oil and a toasted blend of fenugreek, fennel, and anise. The delayed addition of olive oil creates a perfectly soft crumb, while the damp-towel technique ensures a flawless nigella and sesame seed crust.
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Servings: 900 g
Course: Bread
Cuisine: International
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Levain
  • 80 g water
  • 80 g wheat flour all-purpose
  • 1 tbsp active sourdough starter
The Main Dough
  • 260 g water
  • 405 g wheat flour all-purpose
  • 45 g rye flour
  • 45 g olive oil
  • 9 g salt
  • 1 g dried oregano
  • 1 g spice mix 80% fenugreek, 15% fennel, 5% anise
The Seed Coating
  • 15 g nigella seeds
  • 15 g sesame seeds

Method
 

  1. Prepare the levain: Mix the water, all-purpose flour, and active sourdough starter in a jar. Cover and let it ferment until doubled and bubbly.
  2. Toast the spices: Place the fenugreek, fennel, and anise in a dry pan over medium heat. Toast gently for a few second until highly fragrant. Let the spices cool completely, then grind them into a fine powder.
  3. Autolyse (The Initial Mix): In a large bowl, mix the 260g of water, all-purpose flour, and rye flour until no dry spots remain. Do not add the salt, olive oil, or spices yet! Let the dough rest for exactly 1 hour.
  4. Develop the dough: After the 1-hour rest, add the salt, toasted spice mix, oregano, and olive oil. Knead patiently until the oil is completely absorbed and the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Bulk fermentation: Let the dough ferment at room temperature. Perform a stretch and fold after 30 minutes, and another one after 90 minutes to build structural strength. Let it continue rising until noticeably puffed.
  6. Shape and seed: Turn the dough out and shape it into a tight batard or boule. Spread the nigella and sesame seeds evenly on a clean tray. Roll the top of the shaped dough over a damp kitchen towel to moisten the surface, then gently roll it directly into the seeds so they stick.
  7. Final proof: Place the seeded dough seam-side up into a proofing basket. After 10 minutes of resting in the basket, stitch the seams of the dough together with fingers to maximize surface tension. Let it continue to proof until perfectly puffy and ready for the oven.
  8. Bake with steam (Phase 1): Preheat the oven to 250°C. Score the dough, load it into the oven, and bake with heavy steam for exactly 10 minutes.
  9. Finish baking (Phase 2): Release the steam and immediately lower the oven temperature to 220°C. Bake for an additional 15 minutes to ensure the crust cooks completely without burning. Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

The Chemistry of Blooming Spices 🧪
Never skip toasting the spices! Heat acts as a catalyst, opening up the cellular structure of the seeds and releasing fat-soluble essential oils. This "blooming" process transforms the flavor from raw and slightly bitter to incredibly warm, nutty, and aromatic before the spices even touch the dough.
The History of Fenugreek 🌾
Fenugreek is an ancient baking spice that brings a completely unique, slightly sweet, maple-like warmth to the bread. It perfectly contrasts with the sharp licorice notes of the fennel and anise.
The Wet Towel Trick
Seeds falling off a baked loaf is a common frustration. By moistening the raw dough on a damp towel before dipping it into the seed mix, you create a starchy "glue" on the surface. This locks every single sesame and nigella seed firmly in place during the vigorous oven spring.