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Meet Ms. Tippity


I haven't gone crazy. It's perfectly normal and legitimate for sourdough bakers to name their starters. And as of yesterday, I count myself among the privileged. No, I can't believe it either. But the starter I began last sunday is finally up and running.

Twice during the past week, my starter gave up showing signs of life. Then I realized, that like any moody pet, this one doesn't like a change of diet. Feed it rye flour and it's happy. Change the food to plain flour and it begins to ebb. By and by, we have got to a stage where it expands every 8-10 hours. My sourdough flowchart says it's time to bake bread, so I baked some rolls.

Saturday night, I fed my starter as usual but didn't throw away the rest of it. Instead, I mixed 2 tbsp starter with 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup of rye flour. Sunday morning, I added enough plain flour to make a soft dough, then left it for 4 hours to rise until doubled. Shaped it into rolls, then left it to double again. All in all, it took a whole day to get to the baking stage.

Finally, at 7 pm, the rolls were in the oven. And half an hour later, I had my first sourdough success. I've never tasted sourdough before so I was surprised at how sour it actually was.

Ms. Tippity was fed again and now rests in the fridge. I'd bring her out again next friday to help with my weekend bread baking. So long, and enjoy your break.
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Comments

Laura said…
Awesome! I love sourdough!
November 10, 2009 at 2:44 AM
suvi said…
hats off to you! This is one place I will never venture :)
November 10, 2009 at 8:25 AM
CurryLeaf said…
WOW,I was biting my nails as to the outcome,GREAT ROLLS,ms tippity and her creator are inspiring me.too tempted to try .Have mailed you regarding this
November 10, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Rachel said…
I love your patience with the starter....the result is amazing.
November 10, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Spice said…
Good results.....wow I like growthchart(spreadsheet) of your starter....I'm still practicing bread making with yeast....tried biga(pre-fermantation) but starter is still on the list only....
November 10, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Nehal said…
Your sourdough breads look delicious. Have to say..you have patients to wait for the result!! Good Job.
November 11, 2009 at 3:15 AM
Yamini said…
i love the name 'ms. tippity' :) and the rolls look yummy! :)
November 11, 2009 at 7:37 AM
The Purple Foodie said…
I so want to try your sourdough bread! I am still shy to go the sourdough way
November 11, 2009 at 12:11 PM
notyet100 said…
cute name nd yummy rolls
November 11, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Aparna Balasubramanian said…
Been a while since I blog hopped and am finally here. :)
Congratulations! I am yet to manage successful sourdough starter. Now I have to try again. Those rolls look marvellous.
November 13, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Bharti said…
Congrats! Nice name :-)
November 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM
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