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READY IN 3+ days

Sourdough Starter I

Read Reviews (85)

"A starter good for any sourdough recipe." — Becky Richardson

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Sugar and Sweeteners

Original recipe makes 1 cup starter every 3 days Change Servings

3 tablespoons instant mashed potato flakes
3 tablespoons white sugar

1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

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Directions

Combine instant potatoes, sugar, water, and yeast in a covered container. Let the starter sit on a counter for 5 days, stirring daily with a wooden spoon.
On the morning of the fifth day, feed the starter with 3 tablespoons instant potatoes, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 cup warm water. In the evening, take out 1 cup of the starter to use in a sourdough recipe. Refrigerate the remaining starter.
Every five days, feed the starter 3 tablespoons instant potatoes, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup water. If starter is to be used in a recipe, let the fed starter rest at room temperature 6 hours before use. If starter is not being used in a recipe, keep refrigerated and discard 1 cup of starter after each feeding.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
READY IN 3 days 11 hrs 20 mins

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Years ago an employer gave me a cup of this starter and I made sourdough bread many times; but I let the starter die and haven't been able to make sourdough bread since because I didn't know how to begin the starter. I have searched everywhere and experiemented and failed; UNTIL I FOUND BECKY'S RECIPE. THIS IS IT, THIS IS IT YESSSSS!!!! Your bread is only as good as the starter and let me tell you that this ladies recipe is the one and only!!! Don't try it any other way!! There is a few things that I do differently, after putting together initial starter (like she explains in her recipe) and it has set on the counter for five days when I feed it on the fifth day I feed it: (1 cup of warm water, 3 heaping tablespoons of potato flakes and 3/4 cup of sugar). I will then continue to feed it every 3 to 5 days; Disposing of or making bread with one cup of starter 12 hours after every feeding. Use her sourdough starter and sourdough bread recipe for ultimate sourdough bread. Thank you sooooo much Becky!!!

—CAROLINAGIRL34

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Aug 19, 2003

If you are looking for authentic sourdough bread, this starter is not for you! Sourdough is made from natural yeast, not store bought yeast. There are many fine books on Sourdoungh baking that explain how to make your own starter without using store bought yeast. Some companies will even sell you their starter for $5 to $15. I have used the instructions for building a natural starter from Nancy Siverton's "Breads from the La Brea Bakery" with very good success!

—LANCELEM

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96 Ratings

Sep 13, 2004

I JUST GOT STARTED, PUT ALL INGREDIENTS IN THE BOWL AND STIRRED, THEN COVERED, 10 MINUTES LATER I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THE LID WAS LAYING ACROSS THE ROOM. SO, IVE LEARNED SO FAR THAT YOU DONT USE A TIGHT SEALING TUPPERWARE BOWL AND LID.

—JULIEVAN1

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Jun 20, 2003

This is THE BEST SOURDOUGH STARTER EVER!!! Don't listen to lancelem's review! This starter makes the very best sourghdough bread! The only thing I do different is when I feed it I add 3/4 C sugar - I do add the 3 T potato flakes and 1 cup of warm water like this feeder recipe calls for.

—MCLAINART

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Jan 15, 2004

This is a WONDERFUL, sweet sourdough base. It is not a San Fransisco sourdough. I had a starter like this given to me years ago, but it died due to neglect. I am glad to have it again. Use it with this same submitter's (Becky Richardson) recipe for sourdough bread. It makes a delicious, sweet dough that I use for french toast, cinnamon raisin bread and cinnamon rolls. Glad to have this growing in my fridge once again!

—CAROLE JONES

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Oct 14, 2003

I have tried this recipe 3X and it NEVER works! Maybe someone can inform me what kind of potato flakes to use-it is ALWAYS runny; never firms up like it is suppose to; wish it would work, because it sounds like the quickest and easiest, but it is a BUST!

—CLAREP

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Jul 02, 2003

Thanks Becky!!!I had lost my recipe for this delicious bread and was so thrilled to find your great recipe. It is so delicious. The only thing I do differently is add more sugar when feeding the starter, 3/4 cup. Then when ready to mix the bread I add 1/2 cup of sugar. I have been making it for 12 weeks and have given it to so many friends and they are all making sourdough bread too. Its easy, takes 2 full days to get the homemade bread but soooooo worth it. Try it!!!

—DAYSARAY

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Oct 03, 2003

I have tried numerous sourdough starter recipes and this is the first that I have gotten raves from my family and requests for more on.

—DIDEE2

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Nutrition

Calories
51 kcal
3%

Carbohydrates
11.9 g
4%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
0.1 g
< 1%

Fiber
0.6 g
3%

Protein
1 g
2%

Sodium
3 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Sourdough Starter I

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 51
** Calories from Fat: 1

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 0.1g < 1 %
** Saturated Fat 0g < 1 %
** Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
** Sodium 3mg < 1 %
** Potassium 74mg 2 %
** Total Carbohydrates 11.9g 4 %
** Dietary Fiber 0.6g 3 %
** Protein 1g 2 %
** Sugars 9.4g
** Vitamin A < 1 %
** Vitamin C < 1 %
** Calcium < 1 %
** Iron 4 %
** Thiamin 5 %
** Niacin 9 %
** Vitamin B6 4 %
** Magnesium < 1 %
** Folate 29 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.