How to Use Sourdough Starter

Making sourdough bread isn't nearly as complicated as you might think. Once the starter has been established, the yeast will last for years as long as you add a little flour and water to the mixture every time you bake and store it in the refrigerator. Basic sourdough starter consists of yeast, flour, water and sugar that are allowed to ferment at room temperature for several days until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Making the bread is easy if you follow a few basic techniques.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sourdough starter Measuring cup Mixing bowl Mixing spoon Flour Water

1. Substitute sourdough starter in any slow-rise yeast recipe by adding 1 cup starter for each package of yeast specified in the recipe. Stir the starter to distribute the yeast throughout the mixture before adding it to the recipe. Add to the dough and mix well.

2. Decrease the amount of water or liquid in the recipe by 1 cup. You will also need to decrease the amount of flour by 1 cup to compensate for the flour and water used to form the sourdough starter.

3. Allow to rise. Sourdough rises slowly and may require considerably more time than the recipe recommends for rising. Test the dough by poking gently with your finger. If the indentation remains, the bread has risen for the desired amount of time. Follow the instructions included in your recipe to complete and bake the bread.

4. Add 1 cup water and 1 cup flour to the remaining starter, and mix well to blend all ingredients. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• The starter may separate in the refrigerator. Gray liquid at the top is normal. Simply stir to mix.

References

• Sourdough and Sourdough Starter

Resources

• How to Make Sourdough Starter

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