Tuesday, March 1, 2011

sourdough starter

I let my last sourdough starter die. It was sad to have to throw it away. It was a good one. The last two started I've made (the only ones) have been from scratch, letting flour, water and pineapple juice catch the yeast in the air. But this time, I wanted one that wouldn't take a couple months to get going so I made one that uses commercial yeast...so it's a cheater sourdough. I found the recipe in Back to Basics.


3 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 package active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (105 - 115 degrees)

Combine the 1st three ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl. Gradually add the warm water, beating until smooth. Cove with cheesecloth and let stand in a warm place for three days.

After the amount needed for the recipe is remvoed, replenish the starter by adding 1 1/2 cups flour and 1 cup warm water to remaining starter. Beat until smooth and let stand in a warm place until mixture bubbles well, at least 8 hours. Store, loosely covered, in the refrigerator and use and replenish at least once every two weeks.

The thing I like about making sourdough bread is that there is far less kneading involved than with conventional bread. Plus, I just like the flavor.

I made sourdough rye. The recipe wasn't all that spectacular so I won't share the recipe. But the starter definitely bubbles up.

I tried the circular pattern and it was a flop.

They turned out to be quite large!

1 comment:

Heather and Thomas Mann said...

Wow! those are big loaves! I love homemade bread... but i've never done sourdough or a starter.

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