Sourdough French Bread

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° until crust is a medium dark brown, about 45 minutes.