Being that the cost of a loaf of sourdough bread is roughly $4.00, I decided that since we are trying to save money, why not try and make my own sourdough bread. So, with this thought echoing in my mind, I went on a journey to discover what I would need to do. I have made regular bread before, but I have never even attempted sourdough, basically because with terms like starter and sponge...it seems a little intimidating. However, as you will see, it is pretty easy. I have already tried the following recipe and, believe it or not, it actually works. I made one loaf yesterday (pictured above with some Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top) and, as I write this, I am proofing a loaf of french bread (which I'm going to pour a mixture of melted butter and granulated garlic over before baking). - Mason jar (wide mouth) or other glass container
- Cheese cloth (Something to cover the container, but will allow it to breathe)
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of warm water
What you need
- Put 1 cup of flour into glass container
- Add the 1 cup of warm water
- Stir well to combine
- Cover and leave in a warm place (between 70-90 degrees) (I leave mine in the oven with the light on)
- Each day you will need to remove ½ cup of the starter and replace it with ½ cup of flour and ½ cup of warm water
- Stir and repeat step 5 for the next three to four days (may take longer) or until your starter is ready
What to do
You will know when your starter is ready, when you notice a "beery" or yeast smell coming from it. You may also notice that a liquid forms along the top (called hooch). If this happens, just pour the liquid out.
Once your little pet is up and running (I call ours Fluffy), you can cover him with a lid (poke a hole in it, please) and place him in the refrigerator. He will only need to be fed (refer to step 5) once week.
Next in series... Baking With Your Sourdough Starter
I've never ever been successful baking bread- but will consider this :).
ReplyDeleteNice one! I will have to try when winter's chill hits us full-force.
ReplyDeleteI have a Flax Bread recipe for my bread machine over at my cooking blog, have you seen it? It's a great way to get that flax into the kids. ;)
I enjoyed reading your recipe and learned new words - hooch, beery - but I'm not a fan of sour dough bread. Unless of course I'm eating it in San Francisco! I want to like it and try it whenever I can but I just can't seem to acquire that taste. Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteI am really impressed Tim! I like you can do a decent loaf of home made bread but have never tried this before.
ReplyDeleteWow it sounds and looks just delicious. It still intimidates me though.
Maybe someday I'll try making my own starter. in the mean time can I please order a half dozen on the Parmesan an garlic butter one?
Wow it must be so nice to have a cable connection too. It takes me all day just to get in 150 or so drops.
When I say all day I mean literally too. I did a little over 200 yesterday and I started around 5am, ate lunch and dinner here at the pc and simply quit somewhere around 9pm.
Can you believe that? That's how slow satellite is compared to cable.
To cook or do any baking I simply have to skip doing drops.
Tonight I am quitting early to watch t.v. I feel a cold coming on and I am going to snuggle up and take care of myself!!
I can't wait to see the recipe tomorrow!!:-))))
My Caddy SG: At the very least, you can have some fun playing with it. This was my first time trying this and if I messed-up, it just cost me the price of a few cups of flour.
ReplyDeleteRebecca @ Freaky Frugalite: I've never heard of it, but I would be willing to give it a try. Thanks!
BeadedTail: Oh,yes! I love SF sourdough...it is the best. After I experiment with this, I'm going to get some SF sourdough starter and give it a try.
Shinade aka Jackie: Thank you, it does sound intimidating, but if you mess-up, it only costs you the price of a few cups of flour. Besides, i think it's kind of fun (Okay, too much time on my hands).
Sure, I'll pop them in the mail for you:)
Take care of yourself and I hope you get to feeling better;)