I have watched my very capable cook father fail many times in a row, with several methods, to successfully make a sourdough starter, or whatever it’s called.
Do the resting parts in your oven with the oven light turned on. That should provide a good warm space without having to heat a whole room.
I find cutting the top with scissors (like in the second video) easier than using a razor
If your dough doesn’t look like it’s getting big enough, let it rest/proof for longer; you’re probably more likely to accidentally under-proof your dough than over-proof while learning
You can use any oven-safe pot + pan that fit together if you don’t have a dutch oven type of thing (check their rated temps though)
You can use a tea towel/dish towel (just something not fluffy/fuzzy) in a bowl if you don’t have bannetons
Your bread probably looks better photographed than irl (“the camera adds 10 pounds”, but to your bread)
If you’re making a starter from nothing, yeah it would likely take a week or two. But it’s not difficult or very hands-on; you’re just combining water and flour for a couple minutes each day and waiting for yeast rng.
Sourdough
Sourdough is super easy though! Probably barely an hour of actual hands-on time from start to finish with no-knead methods.
I have watched my very capable cook father fail many times in a row, with several methods, to successfully make a sourdough starter, or whatever it’s called.
Oh, I’ve never tried making the starter from nothing; mine is from a friend. It’s probably easier just to ask around.
I’m listening. Have any recipe suggestions?
I’ve had good results with https://www.joshuaweissman.com/post/sourdough-bread (definitely watch the video).
If you have a stand mixer then follow this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEAHA6OHxPs
My personal tips:
Thanks! I’ll read through this and watch the videos tonight
But doesn’t the starter take like 3 weeks?
If you’re making a starter from nothing, yeah it would likely take a week or two. But it’s not difficult or very hands-on; you’re just combining water and flour for a couple minutes each day and waiting for yeast rng.
Ask around. Many people have sourdough and love to share it!
Saaaaame.