I left my dough in Seattle

  After making bread a week or so back, it made me miss my sourdough.  Fortunately, I took pictures of it last year so I can share with you.  I started my very own sourdough culture/starter from scratch in February 2012.  I wanted to bring it with me to California, so I put a small portion in a bag to take on the plane and then I forgot it in Seattle.  That was in October, so it was about 1.5 years old.  I got the idea from stumbling upon this website that I totally got mesmerized in.  I had no idea that you could make your own starter from the natural yeast that is in the air and on the wheat.  I was intrigued.  After thinking about it for a month, I finally just went for it.

 

  It is very simple, all you need is whole wheat flour (I used an organic variety), water, and some patience.  In the beginning, you have to feed it twice a day.  It takes a few weeks for the starter to have enough cultures to make bread with it, but once you do, the possibilities are endless.  If you really want to make a starter, there are lots of recipes out there that you should investigate.  Some recipes lessen the initial start-up time by using pineapple juice.

  That website, GNOWFGLINS, is also where I learned about soaking grains (I'll probably talk about it in another blog).  It is all so very interesting to me!

 

  I did make loaves of sourdough, but there were a number of other things I made too.

  These little guys are sourdough English muffins.  I made these all of the time so Mike could take them to work for breakfast after he worked out.

 

 

  They were most delicious right out of the pan, steaming hot with a pat of butter or smothered in peanut butter and homemade jam.

  I also made sourdough applesauce muffins for breakfast for the kids about once a week.  I did it in a mini cupcake maker so they baked up super quick!

 

  I realize as I type this that this was a different time.  Hannah wasn't in school every day, so some mornings were slower.  However, the days seemed to go on forever.  Anyway, unless I wake up earlier (not going to happen), I would never have time to make muffins for breakfast now.  Regardless, I miss that sourdough.  Mostly because I put a lot of time and effort into it.  I think that I might undertake it again when the kids are older and it can be a fun project for them too.