Sourdough & Bread

  • Sourdough & Bread

    The Sourdough Discard Kitchen

    There’s something undeniably magical about sourdough and it’s discard. The tangy aroma, the perfectly chewy texture, and the way it complements both sweet and savoury dishes make it a kitchen staple worth celebrating. But it’s not just the bread itself that’s remarkable; it’s also the journey of maintaining a sourdough starter and the delicious possibilities that come with it, including the ingenious use of sourdough discard.

    The Importance of Sourdough in the Kitchen

    Sourdough, at its core, is a centuries-old fermentation process that transforms humble ingredients—flour and water—into something extraordinary. The secret lies in the wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria that naturally occur in the environment. When harnessed in a sourdough starter, these microorganisms work together to create not only a rise in the dough but also a complex, rich flavor that’s missing from ordinary bread recipes.

    The beauty of sourdough is that it requires time, patience, and a deep connection to the process. You nurture your starter, watching it bubble and grow, gaining a better understanding of the art of breadmaking. This connection to the food we create is something special, a reminder of the importance of slowing down in the kitchen.

    The Versatility of Sourdough Discard

    One of the most exciting aspects of maintaining a sourdough starter is the opportunity to repurpose the discard. When you feed your starter, you inevitably have a portion that needs to be removed to maintain the right proportions. Instead of discarding this, you can put it to good use in an array of culinary creations.

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    Sourdough Discard Treats: A Culinary Adventure

    1. Pancakes and Waffles: Sourdough discard adds a subtle tang and a delightful fluffiness to your morning pancakes and waffles. The fermented flavor elevates these classic breakfast treats to a whole new level.
    2. Muffins and Quick Breads: Incorporating sourdough discard into muffin and quick bread recipes results in moist, tender, and flavorful baked goods. Whether you’re making blueberry muffins or banana bread, your discard is the secret ingredient for scrumptious results.
    3. Crackers: Homemade crackers are a delightful snack, and when you use sourdough discard, you infuse them with a unique tangy taste. These crackers are perfect for pairing with cheese or dips.
    4. Chocolate Cake: Yes, you read that right. Sourdough discard can enhance the flavor and texture of chocolate cake. It’s a surprising twist that your taste buds will appreciate.
    5. Pizza Dough: Take your pizza night to the next level by using sourdough discard in your pizza dough recipe. You’ll achieve a dough that’s easier to work with, boasts a rich flavor, and bakes into a delightful crust.
    6. Flavourful Focaccia: Sourdough discard can elevate your focaccia by infusing it with an exquisite, slightly tangy flavor. Top it with your favorite herbs and seasonings for a delectable treat.

    The Slow and Simple Pleasure of Sourdough

    Sourdough is more than just a type of bread; it’s a journey, it’s ancestral, a connection to the past, and a way of embracing the slow and simple pleasures of life. Whether you’re enjoying a freshly baked loaf or experimenting with sourdough discard in your treats, it’s a reminder of the joys of patience and the rewards of a deliberate, mindful approach in the kitchen.

    So, if you’re already a sourdough enthusiast or if you’re considering starting your sourdough journey, don’t forget to cherish the discard. It’s a treasure trove of culinary opportunities, offering a delectable twist to your favorite recipes. Sourdough isn’t just bread; it’s a way of life, and it can bring an exquisite depth of flavor to every meal.

    Get in the know with Sourdough Discard

    Unlock the culinary possibilities of your sourdough journey with my free Sourdough Discard Kitchen guide. Don’t let that valuable discard go to waste—turn it into mouthwatering treats that will surprise and delight your taste buds. From fluffy pancakes to savoury crackers, this guide is your key to transforming ordinary recipes into extraordinary culinary creations.

    Embrace the slow and simple pleasure of sourdough, reduce food waste, and elevate your homemade dishes with the magic of sourdough discard. Download your guide today and embark on a delicious adventure in your kitchen.

    Get in the know with Sourdough Discard.

    Download my free Sourdough Discard Kitchen Cookbook today!




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    Don’t miss the opportunity to download the free Sourdough Discard Kitchen guide and embark on your culinary adventure with Sourdough. Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough enthusiast or just beginning your journey, this guide is a valuable resource.

    Additionally, stay connected with me through the podcast by searching for The Slow Living Collective wherever you get your podcasts, for more simple insights. And, for a glimpse into my slow, simple, and seasonal life, join me on Instagram to share in lifes delightful moments and discoveries. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring the joys of mindful living, one bite at a time.

  • Food, Sourdough & Bread

    How to make your own sourdough starter from scratch

    I almost didn’t hit publish on this post because there are so many different sourdough starter recipes here on the internet aren’t there? But actually, I have had great success with the recipe. When I popped a poll on my Instagram stories, so many of my followers said they really wanted to learn more or start making sourdough.

    So despite some imposter syndrome over whether to share, here I am, sharing my recipe.

    Why Sourdough?

    You can’t swing a loaf of bread these days without hearing about sourdough. It is for good reason, sourdough is not only a great-tasting bread and pretty to look at too, but it’s also great for your gut health due to the fermentation process it goes through in the starter before you even get on to creating a loaf of bread.

    sourdough starter

    What do you need?

    Starting your first sourdough starter can seem a little daunting but actually once you get the hang of it and remember to feed it (the hardest part for me) then you can’t help but create a fantastic starter. Sometimes, despite your best efforts

    For getting your sourdough starter going you need very little, a jar for your starter. You can use any jar you have available but if you want to get one specifically for your starter something like this one will work perfectly. If you want something with measurements so you can see how much your sourdough starter is growing then I recommend this sourdough jar.

    Other than a jar, you will need a good quality flour, I prefer to use Dove’s Farm Organic Plain Flour but you can use any plain flour or Einkorn flour that you want.

    Download your FREE sourdough starter recipe

    I have created a great printable PDF sourdough starter recipe for you, so you can print it off and refer back to it daily. I have it on my fridge so I know where I am at and on which day. It soon becomes second nature but definitely worth printing off or saving to your phone so you are able to refer to as and when you need to.

     
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    Sourdough Starter

    Sourdough Starter

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • Plain Flour (I use organic)
    • Water
    • Glass Jar
    • Tea towel/Muslin

    Instructions

    1. Day 1: 1/2 cup of plain flour & 3/4 cup of water. Mix.
    2. Day 2: 1/2 cup of plain flour & 1/4 cup of water. Mix. No discard.
    3. Day 3 - 5: Get rid of half mixture. 1/2 cup of plain flour & 1/4 cup of water. Mix.
    4. Day 6-7: Every 12 hours. Get rid of half of the mixture. 1/2 cup of plain flour & 1/4 cup of water. Mix.
    5. Day 7: Bake your loaf & using the remainder of your starter, go back to day 1 and start over.

    Notes

    1. Using a glass jar loosely covered with fabric is a great way to store your sourdough starter.
    2. Leave on the kitchen counter.
    3. If you want pause your starter you can refrigerate and feed weekly. When ready you can bring it back to the countertop and feed daily.

    I hope you find this recipe helpful in diving into the world of sourdough. If you want to find more recipes to use up your sourdough discard dont forget to check out my Sourdough Discard Crackers recipe.

    Don’t forget to follow me over on Instagram to see more of our daily urban homestead life, baking and what I am getting up to in my kitchen. I would love to see you there.

  • Food, Sourdough & Bread

    Sourdough discard crackers

    Welcome back to my kitchen, today I have a recipe that I thoroughly adore and that always go down an absolute treat in my house – Sourdough discard crackers. We love seasoning ours with Rosemary and salt, but you could literally adapt the main recipe in any way you wish in order to create crackers you love.

    Grab the sourdough discard crackers recipe

    Rosemary Sourdough discard crackers

    Rosemary Sourdough discard crackers

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Sourdough discard
    • 1 cup Organic plain flour
    • 0.75 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tbsp dried rosemary
    • 1 tbsp Himalayan Pink Salt

    Instructions

    1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until mixed into a dough.
    2. On a clear surface sprinkle some flour and knead the dough until smooth.
    3. Cut dough in half and set half aside.
    4. On some baking paper, lightly flour and roll until thin.
    5. Cut into squares - a pizza cutter works well for this.
    6. Place baking paper on tray and bake for 10 minutes on each side
    7. Repeat with second half of the dough.
    8. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

    We quickly fell in love with these crackers, the deep taste of the rosemary, the wonderfulness of the salt, everything just fits perfectly together. We make small crackers but you could absolutely make these large and adjust your cooking times accordingly. These would for sure we wonderful with cheese. Even with these small crackers we enjoy them with a cheese dip and they truly taste wonderful.

    If you make these be sure to tag me on Instagram, you can find me @lifeonplot44.