SANDRA'S HOMEMADE SOUR DOUGH STARTER

Keep starter on hand to use in preparing sour dough recipes found throughout 

"Sandra's Alaska Recipe" site. 

Starters can be thick or thin but both will work equally well, 

although the amount of flour needed in an actual recipe will vary 

according to consistency of the starter and 

the surrounding humidity of your particular environment...

Yields Approximately 2-1/2 cups

Prep Time 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 envelope Active Dry Yeast or 2-1/4 tsps.

2 cups warm water (100� to 110� degrees)

METHOD

Combine flour and un-dissolved yeast in large plastic, ceramic or glass bowl (don�t use metal).  Gradually add warm water to flour mixture and beat until smooth.  (Batter may be stiff, but will relax as it ages or when brought back to room temperature after refrigeration.)  Cover with a cloth towel or cheesecloth; let stand in warm place until mixture is bubbly and sour-smelling, about 2 to 4 days. Starter may darken, but if it changes to another color, discard and start over.  

The initial sour dough starter
that is prepared and ready to be transferred to an
airtight container

Transfer to a 2-quart or larger mason jar or plastic container with tight-fitting lid.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Sour dough starter
that has fully fermented 2-4 days at room temperature,
which is ready to use or to be refrigerated, which will need to be
replenished weekly

To keep starter alive you need to replenish it:  Once a week, stir in equal amounts of all-purpose flour and warm water (100� to 110�F).  (For example, for every 1 cup of starter removed, replenish with 1 cup flour and 1 cup water.)  Beat using a wooden spoon (not metal) until smooth.  Cover with a towel or cheesecloth and let stand in warm place until mixture is bubbly and sour-smelling, for a minimum of 12 hours.  Use immediately or cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.

In preparing actual sour dough recipes,
you'll be required to use different amounts of sponge and it's
best to use sour dough starter straight from the refrigerator
(yes, it's prior to replenishing it)... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips:

A few dynamics of sourdough: 

The less-used your starter is, the more fermented liquid on top, the more sour it's likely to be; i.e., a starter that hasn't been fed for weeks will yield a dough that rises slowly and tastes quite tangy. 

On the other hand, a starter that's fed regularly, i.e., once a week, will yield a less-sour dough tang and one that will rise more quickly.

FOR MY 

SOUR DOUGH BREAD -- with wheat and herb options, 

CLICK the LINK below:

SANDRA'S SOUR DOUGH BREAD 

-- with wheat and herb options