I'm one of the lucky ones. I can actually call my Mother-in-law Elsie, my friend! She is a precious, simple, gentle soul who has been a fantastic MIL and raised a wonderful man who I married 27 years ago.
Elsie is known for her great baking skills, and a staple at her house and at every family gathering is her homemade bread.
We enjoy it fresh from the oven, but if there should happen to be any leftover (which is rare), we will use it for the best ever French Toast, or even grilled cheese sandwiches! YUMMMMMM! We also chunk it up to enjoy with dill dips and cheese fondues.
You can bake loaf for Christmas and share the starter with friends and family members as little gifts. Placing the bread in a beautiful bread basket (like this one from Longaberger) would just be over the top!
The sweet sourdough flavor is unmatched !
You will need:
* 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
* 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
* 3 cups white sugar, divided
* 3 cups milk
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon.
Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk.
Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with day 2).
I'd like Elsie to adopt me! :-)
ReplyDeleteLea Ann- come on over- I'll share her with you!
ReplyDeleteOK, so I'm a cooker and not a baker.You take out 1 cup to make a loaf? Then what? And I really have to wait 10 days? Can you just bring me a loaf? I usually avoid white bread, but you had me at "sourdough."
ReplyDeleteOkay, but what are the baking instructions?
ReplyDeleteGrins. I've tried this a couple of times but then somewhere I get messed up on feeding it and end up with too much bread. It's a fun idea though and it's nice to share.
ReplyDeleteNo really, how long do you bake it and at what temp? Inquiring minds want to know...
ReplyDelete