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Quick Sourdough Starter
This is a quick way to start a sourdough starter and is particularly useful for Amish friendship bread. Instead of relying on the wild yeast and bacteria that are naturally present in the air, it swaps in a commercial yeast. Because the commercial strains are very vigorous, it is unlikely that wild yeast will supplant them. This makes enough for two starters, so you can use it all yourself, or you can share it with a friend.
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour1 cup
- milk1 cup
- instant dry yeast, small; 0.25 ounces / 7 grams1 package
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 3 steps
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
Cover the bowl and place in a warm place (~70–80 °F / 20–27 °C). It should begin making some small bubbles within an hour or two (the timing depends mainly on how cold the milk is).
Proceed as directed for "Day 1" of your sourdough recipe.
Region evidence: no stated origin (basic dish)
