Sourdough Biga for Italian Bread

Make this biga with your sourdough starter for a terrific sourdough Italian bread. Start this the afternoon before you'll be baking the bread.

• Ready In: 12 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 1
• Yields: 1 biga

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  sourdough starter
• 1⁄4 cup warm water
• 1  cup unbleached white flour

Directions

1. In medium bowl pour starter and warm water, mix until smooth. Add flour and beat until smooth, about 3 minutes, it will be quite stiff.
2. Oil a large, deep bowl, scrape biga into it, cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 12 - 18 hours, it will likely rise up and then fall back in on itself.
3. Use as directed for the biga in your favorite Italian bread recipe or in the Chewy Italian Bread recipe #176167.