Chlieb (Slovak country bread)

Instructions

1. Mix the starter, lukewarm water and sugar in a large bowl until fully dissolved.
2. Gradually add the flour, then the salt, and knead for 10 minutes until you have a soft, elastic dough.
3. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let it rise at room temperature for 3 hours, until the dough has doubled in volume.
4. Shape a round loaf and place it on a floured tray or in a bread basket, then let it rise for another hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 240 °C (465 °F) with an empty tray or Dutch oven inside.
6. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp blade, then bake for 15 minutes at 240 °C (465 °F).
7. Lower the heat to 200 °C (390 °F) and bake for another 30 minutes, until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
8. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing so the crumb can set.