The night before baking or approximately 6 hours before mixing, feed the bread starter. You need 227 grams total so combine about 2 tablespoons of starter with 200 grams of flour and 200 grams of water. Cover and let sit at room temperature.
The next morning, do a float test on your starter and if ready, measure out 227 grams.
Combine flour, salt, water, and starter, and stir together. Add honey and melted butter. Combine until blended. Using my hands works best for me.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes. Put the dough in a large oiled bowl and cover it for one hour.
Stretch and fold the bread dough 6 to 10 times. Cover it again for 1 hour. Repeat the stretch and fold and let it rest for another hour.
At the end of 3 hours, shape the dough into a loaf by pulling the outside tight and rolling. Put the bread in an oiled 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" pan and cover it with oiled plastic wrap. Let it rise until the dough crests the rim of the bread pan by 1 1/2".
Prepare the oven 1/2 hour prior to baking by putting a baking stone on the middle rack of the oven and a broiling (metal) pan on the bottom rack. Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
Remove the plastic wrap from the bread dough and place the bread pan on the baking stone. Put a cup of boiling water in the broiling pan. Immediately close the oven door and reduce the oven temperature to 400 °F.
After 15 minutes, remove the broiling pan and bake 10 more minutes. (A total 25 minutes)
Remove the bread from the loaf pan and place it directly on the baking stone. This will brown the bread and create a nice bottom crust. Bake and additional 15 to 20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F.
Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
Notes
IMPORTANT: Do not replace the broiler pan with a glass dish. The boiling water may cause it to shatter. Also, take care not to spill water on the glass in the door of the oven for the same reason.You can place a dish towel over the door as an extra precaution.
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.