Sweet Sourdough ~

Sometimes I cook.  Actually, when I was younger, I was quite the cook.  Now that I am all grown up, my food choices are more limited due to my slowing metabolism and good Irish genes.  I asked my doctor for his recommendations, and he offered, so kindly ..."parsley, no sauce."  He's in his 70's, healthy and vigorous, and says he has "fond memories" of foods he used to eat, like bread....

and butter...and homemade raspberry jam [sigh].  

This is a new sourdough starter bubbling happily on my kitchen counter.  It has been growing and building for the last couple weeks, and a cup of it will be used this weekend to make yummy bread... which we'll have with lots of good butter and homemade raspberry jam.  I am feeling very rebellious. 

By now, most of you know that I am a life-long Alaskan.  I spent my early years living in a quonset hut or log cabin in the wilds of interior Alaska in a little community called Red Devil.  Red Devil is the name of the raw cinnabar, or mercury ore that was mined at that site in the 1950's.  Later, we moved to Southeast Alaska, where I lived until 1993, settling in the big city of Anchorage late that summer.

I have lived the Alaskan life, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, living off the land, heated with wood, used an outhouse, sewed parkas, picked berries, and learned to live a simple life and make do. Hubby's family came to Alaska around 1951 as Christian missionaries, before statehood and when Alaska was considered a "foreign" territory.

I don't remember ever wanting for anything, but we lived a humble life.  It seemed we had everything we could possibly need, and yes, we had sourdough.  Bread, pancakes (oh heaven), biscuits, and waffles every Sunday. 

See the little bubbles in the jar?  This is also called a "sponge".  It smells wonderful, rich, nutty, total goodness. I've been feeling nostalgic lately, and with winter coming had developed a hankering for homemade bread.  There's just no bread better than sourdough bread. 

Would you like to bake with me?  My starter is really simple, Two cups unbleached flour and about 1 and 1/2 cup warm water - you're going for the consistency of really thick pancake batter, so add more flour or water if you need to.  You can't mess this up, so be brave!  I put mine in a big glass jar so I can see it working.  Set this out on the counter for several days to capture the wild yeasts in the air.  I cover it with a light dishtowel or cheesecloth to keep the critters out.  Don't bother it, and after about 4 days it will begin to bubble happily.  I like to keep my starter in a warmish spot in the kitchen away from direct sunlight and cold drafts.  Too hot or too cold will kill it. 

Then you're going to take out about a cup of the batter and toss it, replacing it with a cup of flour and about 1/2 cup or so warm water.  In a few more days it will bubble nicely again.  Take another cup out, toss and replenish with another cup of flour and about 1/2 cup warm water.  A few more days and its really bubbling.  Once you have this nice layer of "foam" on top, it is ready to use.  It usually takes a good week or two to make a good flavorful starter, and after a while your nose will tell you when the starter is just right for baking.  It should smell sour, but not like.... well, home brew.

I think I'll make a french bread this weekend, or perhaps a rustic cinnamon raisin bread.  I'll share my recipes and pictures of the finished product, butter, jam and all. 

Happy Wednesday!

Eileen

 

 

Comments

[Spencer]

Mmmmmm.....delish! I can't wait to try it...I LOVE sourdough bread. My darling daughter and grandson are fans too. It makes the very best toast, doesn't it?

I've been here catching up on your way toooo fabulous blog...I tried to leave a comment on your To DIE 4 bedroom, but the gizmo wouldn't let me...

Ok...off to see more yummy things here. Gosh I LOVE your blog.

Hugs,
Spencer

[Shawn Seay]

Oh yummy! Thank you for sharing your recipe. Also, thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I was so giddy with excitement, like I had just made a new friend! My Mom and Dad flew to Alaska back in November, only to have to fly back to Texas the following day, because my Dad became jaundiced from the cancer causing a blockage. The church sent them on this trip and I pray that my Mom can someday return. My Dad loved to watch videos and read about a man that lived off of the land there, in Alaska. He would have enjoyed hearing your stories. So sorry to hear about your father, as well. Looking forward to seeing your pictures of the yummy treats! Blessings, Shawn

[lorraine lewis]

I have always wanted to make Sour Dough bread but just have not- your starter looks amazing so maybe I will give it a try!
I am making french bread for dinner tonight serving it with plum jam! Gorgeous photos as always!

[Linda]

Hi Eileen, Your sourdough starter looks wonderful and made me think I need to get mine out of the refrigerator and pump it up again. It uses potatoe flakes and sugar in water and makes a wonderful bread, not quite as sour as you may like. Thanks for visting me and your nice comment on my mother's kitchen. It is coming along. We'll be adding the next installment in a week or so. Have a wonderful weekend! Linda

[Jacque]

Oh, my goodness...now I am hungry. I can almost smell the aroma of sourdough bread baking. I am going to try your recipe, and share it with my wonderful neighbor, Betty, who is a terrific baker. And, as always, your photos are beautiful!

[black eyed susans kitchen]

Sour dough is a big favorite in our house! Thank you for this tutorial.

[Karen B]

Wow, that's so great! I've made sourdough from starter before. You know, the kind passed around from friend to friend. But, never knew how to make the starter. Thanks so much. I'm going to try it. I've always wanted to be good at making homemade bread. I've mastered pizza dough pretty well, but haven't ventured out to bread. I laughed out loud when you said you were feeling rebellious. I guess with regard to food, I'm feeling that way too much recently. Have a great weekend!
Karen B. @ Elderberry Street

[Candida]

Eileen... do you have any idea how long it takes for a plane to arrive there leaving São Paulo, Brazil??? I'm ready for the next plane, ok? *sigh*

[Karen Valentine]

Oh it sounds so wonderful!!! I am not a cook. I do what a have to in order to feed my family but a great cook I am not. I wish I was. I think I would be a great baker if I tried...but my LOVE of baked goods leads me to believe it would be very very bad for my waistline if I decided to pick up that particular hobby. I can just imagine what it must be like in your home, in the fall. The smell of fresh bread baking, the cold crisp Alaskan air outside... It certainly paints a pretty picture in my head. Please have slice for me!!!

Karen
My Desert Cottage

[Linda K. Kelly]

Well, I am not the outdoor girl, but BREAD? YES with butter and jam please. Thanks for sharing...............please visit my blog; I have a GIVEAWAY going on!

[Cathy MacKay]

I am astounded that you grew up in the wilds - I am a city girl who could never match your flair for design and all things beautiful! Just goes to show...Thanks for so much inspiration!

[Dede Warren]

Thanks for this quick, easy recipe; I've been wanting to learn to make sour dough bread! I'll be waiting for the rest of the recipe as well.

How fascinating to have grown up in Alaska, and all the wonderful experiences that must have brought. I hope you'll share more... what perfect winter stores for us to gather around and read about (hint-hint).

[Elaine]

I made my first sourdough French bread back in the late 70's, so good! Most winters I make sourdough hot cakes and sometimes Sourdough Sams, doughnuts from a cookbook by Don & Myrtle Holm. I'm looking forward to the new recipes. Now to look for a lovely jar like yours...
Elaine