Sourdough French Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 c. sourdough starter
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
extra flour (for kneading)
1 pkg. yeast
4 c. flour
2 tsp. salt

Preparation

Pour warm water into a large bowl; stir in yeast.
Add starter, 4 cups flour, salt and sugar.
Stir vigorously about 3 minutes with a wooden spoon.
Turn into a large greased bowl; cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
Mix soda with 1 cup of extra flour and stir in.
The dough will be very stiff. Turn dough out onto a floured board and begin kneading.
Add 1 cup extra flour to control the stickiness.
Knead until satiny, 5 to 8 minutes.
Shape into two oblong loaves or one large loaf.
Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Cover and place in a warm place. Let rise until nearly double in size.
Just before baking, brush outside with water and make slashes on the top with a sharp knife. Bake at 400\u00b0 until crust is a medium dark brown, about 45 minutes.