Sourdough is absolutely amazing for your body!! Compared to the store bread this is so much easier for you body to handle! Sourdough is allowing water and flour to ferment and make natural yeast which is a lot easier on your body to break down! Aside from all the chemicals they put in your store bought bread id say that’s a win win! There are so many different varieties and add ins you can add as well to sourdough bread! For my recipe click here!
To start your sourdough you will need 3 things! A glass jar, some flour ( can be rye, einkorn, bread, it’s up to you), and some warm water! That it!!! Now everyone uses different measurements so it will be up to you how much you want to add and what consistency you want it to be! That’s the beauty of sourdough! It’s so versatile!
For me and my sourdough starter named Oscar I use:
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup bread flour (or fresh milled if preferred. I do bread flour)
Starting your starter:
To Start a sourdough starter it will take you at least a week and is not as hard as you may think it is!
Day 1: Add 1/4 cup warm water and 1/3 cup of flour. Mix it in your glass jar and cover it. You can cover it with a coffee filter with a rubber band or lay the lid on lightly on the top. Whichever you prefer, i have done both and both work! Here’s a video for day one!
Day 2: Discard half of the mixture. Then add your water and flour. We discard when starting the starter so you don’t end up with a ton of starter that you need to feed! Make sure to mark the outside with a rubber band or hair tie to make sure the starter is doubling in size! Day 2 video here
Days 3-7: Follow the same as day 2! It’s that easy! If you have a healthy starter it will be very bubbly and will at least double in size!
Day 3 video: https://youtu.be/kuenWO6FCJk?si=mfW6LXMRv070FlJb
Day 4 video: https://youtu.be/htyyGkyK8c8?si=FkKkSmtBq4h6Ih5_
Day 5 video: https://youtu.be/vGJ1lY_p1D8?si=untu6xs0D9R9ok56
Day 6 video: https://youtu.be/xCCvRm6N3LQ?si=oyOsUILnDxiv2zyz
Day 7: https://youtu.be/pB-nYDxd7_w?si=ziTQo42DgWsdg5_c
Maintaining your starter:
When maintaining your sourdough starter you will have to feed it daily! If you plan to constantly bake with it at least daily then id say leave it on the counter and feed as needed! If you are planning on going on vacation or want to take a break then i would feed it and once it’s active stick it right in the fridge! When you are ready to bake again take it out of the fridge, let it warm up and feed it!
Tips and Tricks:
Feed it in the morning if making a dough at night or feed at night for a dough you are making in the morning. If you are not planning to bake within the next 36-48 hours store if in the fridge to save money instead of feeding it!
Removing it from the fridge don’t be surprised if it smells like alcohol or has a liquid on top! That is normal! Pour the liquid in the sink and scrap the top of the starter before feeding it as normal! Have any questions feel free to message me!