Making Sourdough Bread

 l recently ordered Sourdough Starter from Amazon.com for $6.00 (shipping was extra) at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C0E5VG/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

The vendor for the Starter was Breadtopia at:  http://www.breadtopia.com/store/sourdough-starter.html

Luckily, I found this 1/2 gallon crock at Good Will for $2.00.  It works great for growing my Starter.

 

 The instructions for reviving my Starter came with it. 

After adding flour and non-chlorinated water, I covered the mixture in the crock with plastic saran wrap.

After 2 days, my Starter began bubbling.

Every 12-24 hours I added more flour and distilled water.

After mixing.

  

For my first sourdough loaf using the Starter, I made the Plain and Simple Sourdough Bread Recipe found at the following link:
 http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=7075&origin=detail&servings=16&metric=false

I made one substitution by replacing 1 cup of the white flour with whole wheat flour.  

This is my bread machine.

My machine tends to "overbake" so I compensate.  I always bake bread using the Quick cycle with Light Crust. 

Add 1 package of yeast per recipe.

Prior to using the 1 cup of bubbling Starter called for in the recipe, I fed it 1/2 cup non-chlorinated water and 2/3 cup of flour this morning.  I waited about 3-4 hours for it to begin bubbling again.  At that point scoop 1 cup of Starter out of the crock.  Start adding more flour and water to the original batch to "grow" more Starter.

I placed water in the bottom, salt, flour, and yeast in the pan.  I put the Starter on the top.

 Bread machine is kneading the dough.

The finished product  was delicious.  It was an easy recipe and I will use it again!