All About Sour Dough .

[judydawn]

Congratulations Gretchen, glad you stuck with it.

Mine wasn't as good as the last loaf but I probably should have left it longer on the second rise (only did 2 hours) but if I hadn't made such a good one last time I would have though this was great!

[achookwoman]

Judy,  that is pretty good for 2 hours.  Don't think i have ever had one ready for baking this quick.  All experience.

[gertbysea]

I really  did not do anything different except make a smaller loaf and I think the plastic shower hat helped .

To be honest I have put both starters in the fridge for now. I was sick of cleaning up the flour. Maybe next week. It was enough that I did it andi cannot believe the flavour and texture. Nothing like a bought loaf. Nothing at all. It is real bread.

Gert

[judydawn]

Even if you never make another one Gretchen at least you can say you have made sourdough 

[gertbysea]

True but I will never taste  a better bread. It  is awesome. I HAVE to make another and another.

Gert

[Cornish Cream]

Who's a clever girl Well done Gert 

[courton]

I have told everyone it is the holy grail of bread making!

[achookwoman]

Courton,  you are so right.

[Bonsai]

So glad it worked out for you Gretchen. I wonder if the starter gets stronger as my first two loaves were bricks despite a foamy starter and warm rising conditions, but the last one I made was great. I don't think my starter goes completely to sleep in the fridge and maybe is slowly improving, so maybe yours is too 😊

[achookwoman]

Bonsai,  sounds like your starter was over active and needed a good feed.  You are right,  it doesn't go completely to sleep in the fridge,  that is why you need to feed it before you put it in there.

[Bonsai]

I feed it before putting it in the fridge but maybe I was a bit hasty in using it the first time. Second time I got it out of fridge, fed it and used it about 12 hours later but no success. Third time lucky with the same fridge and feed method. I do feed it again before I fridge it if that makes sense.

[achookwoman]

B,  yes that is right ,but it reaches its peak 7 hours after you feed it and leave it on the bench.  This is when it is best to use it.

[kezza]

Happy dance Gert

[Halex]

Fantastic bread Gert, well done.

H

[KarenH]

I have just started on my second effort at making a loaf of sourdough bread, and then when I read through the recipe again I realised that by starting it first thing in the morning, I might be baking it at midnight! 

Can I ask a couple of really simple questions?  Do most people feed their starter in the morning or in the evening?  And do you start making your loaf in the evening, and finish it off the next day?   

I am having trouble understanding a rough "timetable" for cooking sourdough.  Any hints??