Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A naturally leavened loaf made with a heritage sourdough starter and a blend of ancient grains, yielding a chewy texture and nutty depth reminiscent of centuries-old baking traditions. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 85 minutes pairs sourdough starter, heritage grain flour blend, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 152 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (11 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 French cuisine 152 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup sourdough starter with 1 1/4 cups water until fully dissolved, then add 3 cups heritage grain flour blend and 1 1/2 tsp salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to hydrate the flour.
  3. Step 3: Gently fold the dough over itself 3 times, then cover and let rest for 1 hour, repeating the fold process 3 more times at 30-minute intervals to develop gluten.
  4. Step 4: Shape the dough into a tight boule, place seam-side up in a floured banneton, cover with a towel, and let proof in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours).

Frequently asked questions

How long does Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (40 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sourdough starter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Heritage Grain Sourdough Bread with Ancient Flour Blend?

French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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