This is one of the simplest and best breads I make. I feel like I'm creating one of the elemental components of nature--like water, air or earth--when I shape a beautiful white loaf with my floury hands. I have a very forgiving starter that has been neglected and revived numerous times and seems to spring to life inside my loaves. Even though you say this bread may emerge pale from the oven, mine seldom does, even though I baste it only with water, not oil. I'm always getting my timing wrong and often refrigerate the first stage for several days before getting around to adding the additional flour to make the loaves. Other times, I've refrigerated the second stage too, and somehow the loaves just do their thing, rise above their misbegotten origins and come out gorgeous. I'm a proud mama and get many kudos from folks who receive the loaves and consider them miraculous--as I do. Thanks for sparking a glorious passion!

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