Sourdough classes in Perth.

[courton]

Are you able to buy sour dough starter from a bakery shop or would they laugh at me if I  ask?

[Bonsai]

I'm not sure Courton, it would have to be a baker who makes things from scratch and I suspect not many use wild sourdough but I might be wrong. The starter is really easy to make yourself, just not right for impatient bread makers as the starter takes a few days to get going but after that you have a constant supply. Have a go!

[cookie1]

I agree with Bonsai. I don't think they have a 'real' starter. Give it a go yourself.

Bonsai I found the instructions from Yoke re the thermomix didn't work for me. Perhaps she explains it better now she has a TMX. I am trying to get to one of those classes.

[achookwoman]

Most commercial bakeries add yeast to their  so called sourdough.  They may sell you some starter.  Try and grow your own.  I am going to try and dry some of mine,  so I can post envelopes of starter to members.  It will take me a couple of weeks to experiment with it.  Will let you know if it is successful.


There are many recipes.  I just made a sloppy mix of flour and filtered water in a sterile  jar,   covered with chux and put it outside,  under a table,  In case it rained.  After about 4 days it had started to ferment.  I had caught good wild yeast.  Then you feed it with small amounts of ratio 1:1 of flour and filtered water,  every day.    Leaving at room temp while it continues to grow.  It should have bubbles on top and smell like beer.  If it smells bad,  chuck out and start again.   Mine is called the Cherokee Sourdough as this is the wild yeast that I caught.

[kezza]

Chookie, what was the name of the flour you used for your white sourdough starter? I have a terrible memory - was it Laucke?

[achookwoman]

Chookie, what was the name of the flour you used for your white sourdough starter? I have a terrible memory - was it Laucke?

Yes,  white bread mix, Laucke.   But any bread flour would do.

[meganjane]

I was planning on going to Yoke's TMX Sourdough class in Perth recently, but am trying to cut down on my spending, so decided not to. I'd have to drive up and back in the day and it would be too tiring. Can't afford to book into a motel.

Dog has cost us a bomb, vacuum cleaner died and now the air conditioner has died, so lots of $$ going out at the moment!

Must try your recipe Chookie. I don't have rye flour, but if I can make a white flour starter, that would be excellent!

[Halex]

Chookie & I  started one yesterday, it should work as long as I get a good bug. If not will just keep trying until I get a good starter.

H

[KarenH]

My DH bought me a voucher for a sourdough cooking class in Adelaide - bless him!   

http://www.hillsbaking.com/Hills_Baking/Baking_School.html

I cant get to a class until December though, so I might just have to read the wisdom on this forum and have a wee crack at it myself until then - even if it doesnt work, I will have learned something!

[cookie1]

Hally and MJ I can let you have some of Chookie's starter. Just let me know so that I can re invigorate it for you.

Hally perhaps you could post the instructions for starting a starter for us.

[courton]

Yes please. I would love to know how to start a starter at home.

[meganjane]

Chookie sent me some starter some time ago, but it leaked on the way here and was dead when I got it. So, thanks anyway, Cookie, but I'll have a go at getting my own going.

[Bonsai]

I have made a successful rye starter following Yoke's instructions. She says starters using wheat flour or spelt ferment much more quickly and can go off if not used promptly. I'm happy to PM her instructions to people. Yoke's method is very similar to Chookie's and others on the web.

[Wonder]

Bonsai, I would love the instructions. Chookie kindly offered me some starter but due to a lot of commitments at the moment I can't take her upon the offer so I'm trying to make my own. I forgot about using filtered water last night so have started again this morning with cooled boiled water and will see how that goes. If I have a few fails I will hopefully be able to catch up with Chookie in a month or so.

[achookwoman]

Bonsai,  I have never had a problem with wheat flour starter,  but it may be that I am in a cold climate ,  or could be just how I manage my starter.  I have both Yoke's books but don't have a lot of success with her recipes.  On the other hand,  the recipe that I am using,  and Cookie is using,  is quite different and very successful.  It is from 2 bakers in England.  Interesting.!!!