This past year I have fallen in love with bread making. Something very spiritual comes over me. I think about breaking of the bread at the last supper. So when serving my family warm bread from the oven, it fills my heart every time.
Sour dough is a different type bread that has a unique flavor of its own that I prefer. I can hardly eat regular bread now. I am so spoiled. One of my favorite meals is simply homemade soup of any kind with homemade bread. I hardly even buttered the bread due to the unique flavor.
In this process, the starter will be capturing natural yeast from the air. This is what has been done for generations. They have passed it down to family members. Who knew?! So, I had to know more on this very fun way to bake bread without yeast.
To begin you will need a glass jar or bowl preferably. I am sure plastic would work, but I prefer a jar.
Day one: mix 1/2 c of flour and purified water equal parts. Cover with lid lightly, Leave on counter to begin souring process.
Day two: remove 1/4 c of mixture and “discard” into another container or you may throw it out. Add 1/2 c of flour and water to mixture. Cover with lid lightly.
Day three to eight: repeat day 2. Each day you will see the bubbles in the starter.
The “discard” you may add to other fun recipes, such as pancake, waffles, or other baked goods.
Day 8: The starter is ready! Congratulations!
You can now bake your sourdough bread using your starter.
A few thoughts…when you begin baking your first few loaves of bread, you may add a tsp of yeast. I have also to added a tsp of sugar to feed starter.
After a few weeks of fermentation, and also based on humidity, along with temperature of your home, you should not need to add additional ingredients.
Notes: sour dough starter can be stored in refrigerator for up to two weeks. I will feed it at least once a week. When making bread, I take out of refrigerator and set on counter for a few hours. Also feeding it with 1/2 c of flour and water. After it has fermented or bubbles up, I will begin making my recipe.
I share my starter with others a 1/2 cup at a time. Which means, before giving it away I add 1 cup of flour and water to have enough reserve for me.
Thank you for stopping by! God bless 😇
Lavender Cottage on the Lake 