Sourdough Sucess!

If you have been following along here at Home Joys for a while, you may remember some of my dismal sourdough failures.

In the past several years, I have tried four times to start my own sourdough starter - to capture some wild yeast to put to work in making bread. I've learned a lot but mostly I've made a lot of bread that was fit for nothing but croutons or bread crumbs! My best results, by far, was with Peter Reinhart's recipe in his newest book. That starter actually worked but it was very slow and the results with 100% whole wheat bread were not so great. I think if I would have continued to use it, it may have gained strength and eventually become a good starter.

I've considered buying a starter but never did. Then about two weeks ago, Old Sourdough left a comment offering to send a sourdough starter. I didn't get too excited. I mean, who gives something away for free. It probably wouldn't work anyway. But I gave my address and just a few days later, received a package in the mail. In the envelope was a small bag of white powder which supposedly was dehydrated sourdough. I certainly didn't have high hopes, but I followed the directions to build it up for a few days then tried baking a loaf of bread.

And this is the result!!! A beautiful loaf of bread on the first try!!!

I had been feeding my starter with my freshly ground whole wheat flour. The first loaf I made with one cup white flour and one cup whole wheat flour. Yesterday I made another loaf, this time with all whole wheat and the result was another beautiful loaf!

This bread was the simplest bread I've ever made! Just dump 2 cups sourdough starter, 2 cups flour, and 1 tsp salt in a mixer with a kneading hook. Mix for 15 minutes. Add a tsp or 2 of water if it is too dry. Dump into bowl to rise for 2 hours. Form into a loaf. Rise for another 2 hours and bake! Then try not to eat the loaf all in one sitting!

Now you may be wondering, why bake with sourdough?

• It is cheap - no need to buy yeast!
• It is supposedly better for you then yeast. But I'm no doctor.
  
• It tastes GOOD!

And that is enough reasons enough for me!

I'm still a beginning sourdougher. Next I want to try sourdough waffles. If any of you want to join me, ask Old Sourdough for your own free sourdough starter - or, if you live nearby, stop in at my house. My sourdough is bubbling in it's bowl and I'd be glad to share!

(I know my husband is going to give me a hard time about all the exclamation points I've used in this post! Can you guess that I'm excited?)