human
I'd like to know how to make a good sourdough bread.
assistant
To make a good sourdough bread, you will need to start with a starter or preferment. This is a mixture of flour and water that has been allowed to ferment for several days before use. The starter should be mixed every few days and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. When making the dough, mix together equal parts of your starter and all-purpose flour. Add salt and any other desired ingredients such as sugar or oil. Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic. Let it rest for about 30 minutes, then shape the dough into a loaf and let it rise again until doubled in size. Finally, bake the bread according to your recipe instructions.