I’ve got the baking bug…all that seems to go through my mind lately is bread and butter, so after a few breakfast breads or “quick breads”, I’m moving on to something a bit more well…bready. Sourdough.
The sourdough starter recipe I used was found in an old cookbook, simply titled baking.
All you will need is:
2 ½ cups warm water
1 ½ cups white flour (I added a bit more flour; the starter didn’t seem thick enough)
1 packet of dry active yeast
Using a medium sized glass bowl mix the yeast in the warm water and let dissolve for 15 minutes.
After the time has elapsed, slowly add the flour and mix to incorporate.
Cover with some cheesecloth- to let air in and keep nasties out- and wait about three days, mixing occasionally.
When it gets going, you should see some little bubbles.
After at least three days the starter can then be used to make bread…more on that next time.
My starter has been going for two days now, and looks splendid!
By the way…I’ve heard you have to name your starter for good luck; I’ve named mine Hugh after a personal hero.
I can’t wait to have some homemade sourdough!
Sourdough is one of the most satisfying culinary projects I've done. The results are excellent, and there's something really homely about using your own, locally-caught yeast.
ReplyDeleteOn the downside, I've killed plenty of starters. There are starters out there that date back to way before the war, that have been tended and nurtured through thick and thin.
Unfortunately, I don't have the dedication, organisation or memory to feed the starter every day, so mine lead a lonely, forgotten life in the back of the fridge, until the inevitable chucking out ceremony *sigh*.