What Is Sour Dough and Why Do We Care?
No, I’m not in the mood to cook. I made bread once this week (okay thanks to the breadmaker) and then I made baking soda biscuits last night. Damn this World Cup thing. It is taking over our life!! And then darling son calls last night. He’s taking the day off from styling hair to watch the game with his dad! Anyway, back to bread. Here’s what I dug up.
“The history of “sourdough” is as old as the history of leavened bread itself. Way back in ancient days (around 6,000 years ago, some say) humans first figured out how to promote the fermentation and leavening of grains to first be brewed into beverages and then, later, to be baked into bread. This probably happened by accident time after time, until someone smart figured it out. Next our ancestors figured out how to save a portion of the fermented grains to use to “start” the fermentation of their next batch of bread. Since that time, humankind has been using and making “sourdough.”
That fermented mix of grain and water that was saved and used to start the next batch of dough is what we now call a “sourdough starter” and bread made from such a starter, “sourdough bread.”
So, why do I care?? I actually tried this started stuff several years ago, but the stuff just kept growing and growing. With just two of us in the house, just how much bread can you eat?? But it sure did taste better than white and it made great grilled cheese sandwiches if I’m not mistaken!
Okay, I think that I’ve just talked myself into looking up a recipe for sour dough starter. I’m having this craving for grilled cheese sandwiches…
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