Herman Yeast Starter
Prep: 15 min
Total: 15 min
Serves: 8
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Meet the friendly sourdough alternative that won't take over your life. This bubbly flour-and-yeast starter develops a mild, evolving flavor as it ages, growing gently tangy over time, and unlike fussy traditional cultures it only needs feeding after you use it. Bakers who love the depth a live starter brings to breads and cakes will appreciate how low-maintenance and forgiving this one is.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 Tbsp White Sugar
- 1 pkg Yeast
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 2 Cups Water
Directions
Directions
- In large bowl mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
- Gradually stir in the warm water (105-115 F); beat or whisk until smooth.
- Cover with towel; set in warm (80 - 80 deg F) draft-free place - the kitchen or other warm room in summer or in cold weather on top of insulated furnace or radiator, on a buffer such as a folded heavy towel or pillow.
- Stir 2 or 3 times a day for about 3 days or until starter is bubbly an produces a yeasty aroma.
- Transfer to larger bowl, large jar or plastic container.
- Cover partially (tilt lid or punch holes in plastic cover); refrigerate.
- Makes about 1-1/2 to 2 cups starter, depending on thickness.
- It can be creamy or as thick as dough because of room conditions, the age of "Herman" and other variables.
- *Note about "Herman"* Herman is a "cultured" dough you add to new dough to give it distinctive flavor or texture it otherwise wouldn't have.
- But unlike other starters that require constant feeding, stirring and using, this one doesn't make a slave of you.
- You replenish "Herman" only after you use it.
- And if it's longer than 14 days, put it in the freezer until you're ready.
- The flavor of this starter evolves as it ages- mildly sweet when young, more like sourdough when older.
- Care and Feeding of "Herman" The starter should be used within 14 days and replenished or fed immediately after each use.
- To feed starter, stir or whisk in 1 cup each flour and milk and 1/2 cup sugar; mixture need not be completely smooth.
- Wait at least 24 hours before using again.
- If you do not plan to use the starter within 14 days, cover tight and freeze.
- Freezing slows down the fermentation, so let stand at room temperature several hours or till thawed and bubbly before reusing.
Nutrition
Per serving · 8 servingsCalories
90
Fat
0.5 g
Saturated fat
0.1 g
Carbohydrates
19 g
Sugar
2 g
Fiber
0.5 g
Protein
3 g
Sodium
200 mg
Cholesterol
0 mg
Estimated values for general guidance only — not medical or dietary advice.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 Tbsp White Sugar
- 1 pkg Yeast
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 2 Cups Water
