The Sourdough Bread experiment has been completed. Six days ago I mixed up a Sourdough Starter and I have been patiently watching and waiting to see the results. Finally today, I baked the bread.
This has been a long wait. Each day I checked on the starter, and stirred it as directed, but not much happened. On the morning of the 5th day, I fed the starter and it bubbled and grew, but the directions said to wait until later in the day to take out any of the starter to use in a recipe. So, last night I had my Sourdough Bread recipe ready. The bread recipe I used belongs to my friend Beth, who has baked Sourdough Bread for many years. I’ve had her recipe tucked away for a long time.
Sourdough Bread
1 cup sourdough starter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package (or 2 1/4 teaspoons) dry yeast
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon salt
5 – 6 cups flour
In a large bowl, mix together starter, sugar, water, yeast, and oil. Add salt, then flour 1 cup at a time. Place dough in a large glass bowl that has been greased, and slightly grease top of bread dough. Let rise overnight at room temperature, then shape into loaves. Let rise again, then bake at 325 degrees F for about 35 minutes, or until browned. Makes two 9 x 5-inch loaves.
My starter looked about the same on days 2, 3, and 4.
Each morning a layer of clear liquid had settled out on top before the starter was stirred.
On the 5th day the starter was fed and it really came alive! That evening I used the starter to prepare the bread dough and let it rise overnight, as per directions.
Fortunately, I’m an early riser. The bread dough was just about to outgrow the bowl by morning.
Then bake in a preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until browned.
Let the bread cool before slicing, if you can.
My husband and I sliced into a loaf while it was still warm.
I am printing this off now. My daughter will love this. I am starting this tonight. thanks for sharing. Come over and visit us. We have a wonderful pimento cheese that would taste wonderful on this bread.
I've been learning to make my own sourdough bread as well, and I've named my starter 'the monster' it's facinating isn't it the way it grows! I made savoury sourdough on the weekend – starter, flour, water and salt and then some sundried tomatoes and olives in the middle. Was yum but I still need to learn how to fit it into my life so it doesnt take 2 days to make!
There is something about sour dough bread that I can't get enough of! Can I persaude you to come over and bake me a loaf
Your bread looks absolutely perfect! I have never tried making sour dough, but I really need to give it a try soon.
I have a starter that's supposedly from the Civil War. One of my son's former girlfriend's mother brought it from Arkansas. She shared it with me about 8 years ago & I have faithfully kept it going. I make it every two weeks. I used to make it every week, but that got to be a bit much!! Homemade bread is so good, isn't it?
Hi Anita,
I can almost smell this awesome Sourdough Bread coming out of the oven. If only I could have a nice slice with some butter. It looks so good! Hope you have a wonderful holiday week end and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come back soon!
Miz Helen
I can't believe you made this from scratch! I am SO impressed! LOVE this! Just wanted to let you know I will be featuring you tomorrow at this weeks Tasty Tuesday party! Come on over and check it out, oh and grab a featured button! http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/
I too have been meaning to make sourdough bread — thanks for sharing this as part of the countdown to 2012!