For the most part I am not wild about baking things that everyone is baking… You know, the pumpkin-shaped bread in the Fall, or other hot items of a particular moment. Pie on March 14th? No, not interested. But, how could I resist trying my sourdough with a little turkey? I could not. So if you are tired of seeing those around, apologies, but I have one more for you!

I used a basic sourdough recipe (500 g bread flour, 75 g sourdough at 100%, 345g water, 9g salt, 1/2 tsp paprika). Did my usual method that starts with a 4-minute ride in the KitchenAid at low speed, then folds every 45 minutes for 4 and half hours. Shaped, into the fridge it went for its beauty sleep. Next morning, the fun began, shaping it as a small bird. Most of the examples I’ve seen around turn out with the legs and wings away from the body and I thought it was a little awkward to slice and eat. I decided to contain it all in a more round shape. Maybe it did not end as “turkey-ish” as some, but I like it this way.

Start from a round proofed dough, dust with flour (I like to use tapioca flour).

Cut two small slits on top for the wings…

Then shape those twisting gently and tucking under the body. Next, cut the larger slits for the legs…

Shape them, tie them with a string, and do a little decorative slashing with small scissors and a razor blade…

Bake at 450F inside a Dutch oven, covered for 30 minutes, uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more. Your turkey is DONE!

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