Name: The Best Rye Bread
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT4H45M0.000S
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients: 3/4 cup warm water (about 80 degrees F); 1/2 cup active sourdough starter; 1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for the bowl; 3 tablespoons potato flakes; 1 tablespoon light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 1 3/4 cups medium rye flour (see Cook's Note); 1 1/4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting; 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten; 1 teaspoon instant yeast; 2 tablespoons caraway seeds, optional

Directions

Special equipment:

a stand mixer with a dough hook; a 5-quart Dutch oven with a lid; a bread lame, optional

Add the water, sourdough starter, oil, potato flakes, brown sugar, salt, rye flour, bread flour, wheat gluten and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed until the dough has fully come together and looks slightly tacky, about 8 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and mix until the dough is elastic and slightly sticky, has pulled away from the sides of the bowl and is stuck to the dough hook, about 10 minutes, adding the caraway seeds, if using, during the last 2 minutes of mixing. Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover and proof in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Working gently so as not to deflate the dough, pull each of the 4 "sides" of the dough up and into the center, folding the last side to cover the whole top of the dough. Pinch the seams to seal. Roll the dough over so the seams are on the bottom. The dough should be in a large ball.
Place the dough ball on a piece of parchment, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray and proof in a warm spot until doubled in size, 30 to 45 minutes.
While the dough proofs, place a 5-quart Dutch oven with the lid in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F for 30 minutes.
Remove the hot pot from the oven, remove the lid and carefully transfer the dough with the parchment into the pot. Use a sharp knife or lame to score the bread, cover and place in the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and continue baking until the bread is a toasty brown and the interior temperature registers at least 200 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes. Immediately transfer the bread to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing.

Cook’s Note

When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)