Sourdough

 I love sourdough bread and it is so much more healthy for you. I would eat bread all day long but.....

I found some at Sprouts that did not have all the extra garbage in it but I decided I needed to make my own.  Bought a book at Barnes and Noble, bought all the tools and finally last week decided it was time to just pick the day and get going.  I got my starter going and today was the day to bake that first loaf.  

I got everything out, mixed it all up, did the risings, kneadings and finally it was time to bake that first loaf.  Pulled it of the oven, pretty brown color, let it cool and it was not totally done in the middle.  It was a very dense loaf. It tasted good.  So I did what anyone else would do, throw the bread in the trash and hit the internet.  What did I do wrong.

Well the book I got did not have you discard daily for the starter (more later on my thoughts about discarding).  The book also only had you feeding 5 days instead of 7 or 8.  Ok.  Every morning there was a brown crust on top, I need a denser cloth on top, I made my own but I will make another one with a piece of batting in it.   It had bubbles and I could tell it was raising a bit.  It was elastic like it should be. I did have a Dutch oven, one I had never used, I think I had a really good coupon for it cos it is Crueset and they ain't cheap.

I had enough started left for a batch of pancakes so I made up that dough as well. Never make bread and pancakes at the same time, cos they both require sitting, kneading, rising, etc.  The pancakes were good, I did not put the sugar in them.  The taste was a very mild sour dough.  So they went in the freezer for those breakfasts where I want pancakes but don't want to make them.

Discarding: I dont get throwing away half the starter, seems a waste and why?  I need to do some further research on that.  However for people like me who cringe at the thought of wasting starter daily there are many recipes to use it, just pop it in the fridge, feed it once a week and use it is pancakes, waffles, cookies, scones, etc.  

I found a couple of websites that are much more detailed, have printed off the information and will start a new batch on Wednesday.  The book was very lacking in instruction. It was like a beginner knitter trying to figure out a fair isle sweater with very little instruction.  That book will go in my donation box.