The Start of My Bread Journey
I moved up to Tennessee after retirement and found myself with the urge to bake bread. I started making all kinds of yeast bread, and it was glorious—my house smelled like a small-town bake shop. Then one day, I encountered the creature called “Sourdough”…
Discovering Sourdough Starter
I tried sourdough bread here in Tennessee, and I was hooked! My kryptonite is bread, and I decided I had to make a few loaves. Off I went to the grocery store, gathering all the ingredients—except for one: sourdough starter. I searched the aisles, asked employees, and learned the hard truth: you can’t buy sourdough starter. You have to make it yourself or find someone willing to share theirs.
How to Make Your Own Sourdough Starter
If you’re ready to dive into sourdough like I did, here’s how to make your own starter. Get a mason jar or a cleaned-out spaghetti jar. Start by mixing about 4 tablespoons of flour and 4 tablespoons of bottled water in the jar. Cover the jar with a paper towel secured by a rubber band, and let it sit on your counter overnight—preferably in a warmer spot, like near the oven.
Repeat this process daily for about seven days, adding the same amount of flour and water, stirring it, and covering it. Over time, you’ll notice your mixture bubbling and rising. Mark the jar with a rubber band to track its growth. Once it’s active, you “feed” it daily if you’re baking often. If you need a break, you can refrigerate it and feed it about once a week.
What to Do with Sourdough Discard
If your starter grows too much, pour the “discard” into another container and store it in the fridge for recipes like pancakes or dumplings. There are tons of ideas online, and I’ve even started making my own pasta with the discard—it’s fantastic! Just remember: do not pour it down the drain—it can harden like cement and block your pipes.
Share the Sourdough Love
If you make extra starter, share it with your friends and enjoy the journey of experimenting with sourdough. There are many ways to create a starter, so find the method that works best for you. For me, this adventure has been an amazing way to connect with my love of bread—and it can be for you too. Happy baking!
