Sourdough

 

Are you interested in sourdough but have been avoiding it because it seems a little intimidating? It seemed very much intimidating to me too but I am here to tell you, "It's super simple!" 

Sourdough Starter:

To start out you need to make a sourdough starter. Sourdough starters catch all the bacteria and yeast in the air. Sourdough starters work when flour and water are combined. Mixing these two ingredients activates the yeast and bacteria in your air and surrounding environment. 

                        

Instructions for Making a Sourdough Starter: 

1. On day one, mix one cup of flour and one cup of water in a mason jar or wherever you want to keep your starter. Stir together making sure to scrape down the side to incorporate everything. Place a towel over the jar and allow to sit for 24 hours.

2. On day two, take out half of the mixture and discard. And again add one cup of flower and one cup of water in the jar and mix. Cover and set aside.

3. Repeat day 2 instructions for days three, four and five.

4. On days six and seven, do the same but feed it every 12 hours instead of every 24

5. By day seven, there should be enough beneficial bacteria and yeast. You will know that it is working when you start to see bubbles and doubling in size.

NOTES:

.When "feeding it" is mentioned that means adding flour and water. When you do this it's ok to add a little less than a cup or maybe more just making sure that you have a pancake batter consistency

. After having seven days of your sourdough on the counter you should be okay to put your sourdough in the fridge if you not using it and let it sit. When you want to use your sourdough all you have to do is take out your sourdough, feed it and put it on the counter until bubbly.

.If you want to check if your sourdough is active all you have to do is fill up a cup with water and take a spoonful of your sourdough and put it in the water. If the scoop of sourdough floats then it is active.