Sourdough Starter

I've read a lot about the benefits of sourdough products recently.  And I wanted to try it.  But that requires a sourdough starter.  Sounds a bit daunting.  Which is why I've never made sourdough anything before.  But I decided to give it a go last week.  Turns out it's not really that hard.  All you do is mix flour and water and let it sit.  I found an easy step-by-step recipe on Naturally Knocked Up.  She did a very small quantity (1/4 cup each day).  I did 1/2 cup each day so I would have enough at the end to actually make something :)  You can do more or less.  Doesn't matter.  It takes a week to make.  I'm glad I tried this!  Now I have a sourdough starter in my fridge...for use any time I want to make something with sourdough.  Yeah!  All I have to do is feed it once a week to keep it going.  I need to start looking for sourdough recipes now.  I think my pictures are from day 1 and day 4.

Sourdough Starter

2 sterilized jars or bowls (not metal)

A non metallic spoon

A coffee filter or thin fabric

whole wheat flour, spelt, rye (I used rye)

water (if you have city water you must boil and let cool or aerate with a blender to rid it of chlorine) (I used filtered water)

The ratio of water to flour is 1:1 when starting a new sourdough starter.

Day One

Place a 1:1 ratio of flour and water into a clean and sterilized jar and stir well.  Cover with the filter or thin towel and set in an open area so it can start collecting the natural yeast.

Day Two

Transfer the starter to a clean jar/bowl and feed your new pet another 1:1 ratio of flour and water in the same amount you used for day one. So if you used 1/2 cup for each, you’ll use 1/2 cup again. Stir well, cover, and set back out.

Day Three Through Six

Again, each day you’ll feed your starter a 1:1 ratio of flour and water (in a clean jar/bowl). It will start to get bubbly and you’ll also notice it separate a bit and get a watery layer. Don’t worry, this is totally normal.

Day Seven

Your starter should now have gone through the bubbly stage and smell somewhat ’sour’. Transfer to a clean jar and feed it one more time.

At this point it is ready to use! You can now do one of 2 things.

1.Test out some new recipes! Just make sure you feed it again before you put it in the fridge to store.
2.Cover and pop it right in the fridge for use later.

Care and Feeding of your Starter

Upkeep on a starter is very simple. If you do not use your starter for one week, transfer to a new jar, feed it a 1:1 ratio of flour and water, and set it back in the fridge.

or

After you use it for a recipe, feed it the same 1:1 ratio and let it sit out again for just a couple hours before storing in the fridge. (transfer to a clean jar about once a week)

If your starter starts getting a bit to thin, go ahead and pour out the watery layer that settles at the top!