The Sourdough Whisperer

Temperatures In hot temperatures,

When you want to make your dough, remove your base starter from the fridge and feed it with the amount of flour and water necessary to generate the amount of starter you will need for the recipe. For example, if the recipe calls for 50 grams (¼ cup) of starter, I feed my base amount of starter with 30 grams (¼ cup) of flour and 30 grams (⅛ cup) of

My preferred way of using my starter is to take it from the fridge, let it come up to room temperature, feed it flour and water, then leave it to become bubbly and active. That is when I like to use it.

My preference is to use round rather than square containers that hold around 600 milliliters 2½ cups).

Day 1: In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix 50 grams (½ cup) of strong white bread flour, or a different flour of your choice, with 50 grams (¼ cup) of water. Remember that if you are using a whole-grain flour, add an extra 10 to 20 grams (1 to 2 tbsp) of water if the initial mixture is too stiff to stir.

Add an equal weight of water (the same weight as the flour).

This is a scenario when less is truly more. Storing a small amount of starter as your base amount keeps it active and healthy; if you fall into the trap of keeping large jars of starter, it will become weak and sluggish and will take a lot of flour to maintain it. Keep it lean, and keep it keen!

Rice flour: This is the ideal flour for preparing bannetons to ensure that your dough doesn’t stick to them and comes out clean. Rice flour is gluten-free and nonporous, so it does not become sticky like wheat-based flour. You can use white or brown rice flour. If you cannot find rice flour, you can grind uncooked rice to make your own, or use grou

This is useful if you want to be able to make dough first thing in the morning. In the evening: Feed your starter directly from the fridge and replace the lid. Leave the starter on the counter all night. In the morning: Use your starter to make your dough without feeding it again. Return the rest of the starter to the fridge until next time.