An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
The magic of sourdough is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. Once flour and water are mixed and left to sit over a few days, with a little extra flour and water added each day, the living yeast that makes sourdough so special will start to grow. Once you have a good “starter” dough going, all you need to do is continue to feed it and it will keep on growing! When you're ready to make your bread, just take some starter dough off the top, and make sure you have enough left over for your new delicious pet to keep growing.
It's important to take out some starter dough every so often to make sure it doesn't become too acidic, or grow too big. The starter dough that is taken away is called the "discard," regardless of if you actually discard it or not. And really, there's no reason to discard it! Even if you're not in the mood for baking a loaf of bread, there are a multitude of other things you can make with your sourdough discard.
Sourdough bread is the oldest type of leavened bread in the world, and originated in Egypt around 3000 BCE. Since then, it has been baked and enjoyed in every major Western civilization, from the Greeks to the Romans, and all the way through to the 21st century, where it is still enjoyed on a regular basis.
Banana bread is a classic treat that can absolutely get the sourdough treatment. You can give your banana bread some added nutrients and flavor by incorporating your sourdough discard into the mix.
Sourdough and cinnamon is a match made in heaven. Everyone is sure to love these fluffy and decadent sourdough cinnamon rolls.
If you want to make everyone's favorite pastry a little more healthy and a little less sweet, try mixing your sourdough discard into the mix. Not only will you have a deliciously unique donut experience, but you'll cut down on the greasiness, too!
The unique flavors of sourdough are a perfect match for that delightful spiciness that makes gingerbread cookies so special.
Pancakes just refuse to go out of style. They've been prepared dozens of ways in countless countries, and there doesn't seem to be a bad way to make them. Maybe, however, there is a best way: by adding a little sourdough discard into the batter.
Hot cross buns are a perfect way to end any family banquet and are a holiday favorite. Sourdough hot cross buns are a fun twist on a classic, and highly customizable. Just add whatever sweets, fruits, or nuts you'd like!
Next time you make granola, try using some sourdough discard to bind all of your delicious nuts, oats, and seeds together. You won't be disappointed!
The subtle acidity of sourdough adds just a little extra kick to your favorite tangy lemon muffin recipe.
Few desserts are as classic as a good old batch of chocolate chip cookies. Whether you like them soft or crunchy, with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate, adding sourdough to your cookie dough can provide a unique twist that everyone who tries will be sure to enjoy.
It's hard to beat a hot cup of coffee with a nice biscotti to dip in from time to time. Anyone who enjoys these crunchy Italian treats would be wise to try making them with sourdough.
Zucchini bread is one of the healthiest types of bread out there, and one of the easiest to prepare. Adding a bit of sourdough discard doesn't complicate the process at all, and makes your zucchini bread just that much healthier.
Sourdough monkey bread is super sharable with its pull-apart loaves, and a real delight for anyone who loves sticky cinnamon goodness.
Snickerdoodles take the cake (or cookie!) for the best dessert name in the world. They also happen to be delicious, and are only made more so with the addition of sourdough. The soft acidity of the sourdough and the delightful cinnamon of the snickerdoodle dusting is a match made in heaven.
Sourdough bagels have been taking the world by storm recently. Making bagels with your sourdough discard is a wonderful way to get fluffy and flavorful bagels for your favorite cream cheese spread.
Sourdough isn't only for human enjoyment, either! Safe, delicious, and nutritious dog treats can easily be made using sourdough.
The possibilities with sourdough-based pasta are endless. Make your favorite linguine, ravioli, or even lasagna with a special added depth of sourdough flavor.
This one might come as a surprise, but it's true: sourdough onion rings are real, and they are delicious! Just add a little extra flour and baking soda, coat your onions, throw them in the fryer, and you're in for a real treat.
A true triumph of finger foods, no party is complete without a big tray of pigs in a blanket. While some prefer to wrap their dogs in puff pastry, sourdough rolls are also a wonderful way to go.
Why sourdough pretzels haven't gone the way of sourdough bagels is one of life's great mysteries. Making pretzels out of sourdough makes them all the more fluffier, with the added bonus of that fantastic sourdough taste.
Here's a really inventive one. Next time you're in the mood for some hearty, creamy bechamel sauce, use some of your sourdough discard instead of a traditional roux, and you won't be disappointed!
Okonomiyaki, known in the West as Japanese pancakes, are delicious fritter-style snacks that are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Traditionally made with cabbage, spring onion, and whatever else you'd like, a bit of sourdough discard and extra flour will bind these together perfectly before throwing them on the skillet.
Have some discard but don't feel like making anything at all today? No problem! Sourdough is rich in all the things that make plants happy, so you can dilute your discard with water and put it in your garden, or throw the whole thing right in the compost pile.
Sources: (The Pantry Mama) (Edible Communities)
See also: Why eating bread can be a weighty issue
Restaurants have been getting more and more creative with their burger buns recently. Nowadays, you can get everything from brioche buns to pretzel buns, but nothing beats a sourdough bun for your patties.
A classic Sunday breakfast around the world, mixing your sourdough discard into waffle batter can provide a pleasant and unique twist to the flavor of your waffles, no matter what you decide to top them with.
Incorporating some sourdough discard into your brownie mix is an ingenious way to cut down on the richness that can make some brownies overwhelming, without compromising on all of those textures that make brownies so wonderful.
Anzac biscuits are Australia's favorite treat. Made with rolled oats and shaved coconut, they're a hearty and delicious snack made even better with sourdough.
Splendid sourdough and all its unconventional uses
Where tradition meets imagination
FOOD Bread
Sourdough has been making a comeback in recent years. When everyone was locked in their homes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, massive amounts of people turned to taking care of a sourdough culture to fill the extra time so suddenly on their hands. Thankfully, a lot of people have kept up with it, because sourdough is one of life's greatest simple joys, and nurturing a sourdough starter to full health is almost as good as having a pet! But now people's lives are busy again, and folks won't always have the time or the energy to use up all of that delicious, ever-growing sourdough. So, what else can you do with sourdough? Read on to find out!