Kefir Bread as SourDough

•  4 cups (530 g) self-rising flour, see note before starting
• 2 cups (16 fl oz/473 ml) low-fat plain kefir (you can use regular)

1. In a large glass mixing bowl, combine the flour and kefir. 
2. Mix well with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms. 
3. The dough will be sticky and wet.
4. Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
5.  Let the dough rest and proof for 4-6 hours (up to 12 hours; the longer the dough rests, the better the flavor will be, but the dough will also be wetter and harder to work with if rested too long)
6. About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). 
7. Place a large Dutch oven (4.3 quarts or bigger) with its lid on in the oven while it preheats. This is important; the Dutch oven needs to preheat before adding the bread.
8. After the dough has rested, wet your hands with some water. 
9. Grab one side of the dough, stretch it upward, and fold it over the center. 
10. Repeat this process from all eight sides of the dough.
11. Lightly flour a work surface with self-rising flour. 
12. Carefully turn the dough out onto the floured surface, seam side down. 
13. Use a bench scraper or lightly floured hands to rotate and drag the dough toward you on the floured surface until you form a round, taut ball.
14. Place the shaped dough, seam side down, onto a piece of parchment paper.
15. Remove the preheated Dutch oven from the oven. 
16. Remove the lid and carefully transfer the parchment paper with the dough into the hot Dutch oven.
17. Put the lid back on and place it back into the oven to bake covered for 30 minutes.
18. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is browned on the surface and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
19. Let bread cool fully before cutting and serving.