Grandma’s Sourdough
My husband had a wonderful Grandmother. I mean, really wonderful. I count her as one of the most amazing women I have ever met.
When she died last year, I knew I would miss her. Lots of people do. She was the adopted Grandma of so many I couldn’t begin to count.
One thing I always enjoyed discussing with her was food and cooking. She was an awesome cook. My husband says her food tasted so good because she didn’t scrimp on fat! I think he is right.
As a newly-wed I was extremely inexperienced in the kitchen. She showed me how to make a number of things and answered many of my questions over the phone. I often had trouble following her recipes because she really didn’t use recipes! I remember her showing me how to make pie crust…she just scooped the Crisco out of the container with her hand and said, “You need about this much.” The same thing when she demonstrated her method of cooking oatmeal: “Just fill the pot with some water and then start sprinkling the oats over it.” How much water? How many oats?
Her methods were her own, and they worked very well. I still wish I could ask her advice (and not just about cooking either!)
Recently I decided to try making some San Francisco style sourdough bread (it's my husband’s favorite). I started hunting recipes. To my surprise, I found a big sheet of paper filled with instructions for making San Francisco Sourdough from his Grandma. And in her very own handwriting too. She had sent them to me years ago, but I had not yet tried it.
I got to work on the bread and it turned out well. Actually, there are two recipes in the instructions. I’ve only made one so far and plan to try the other later this week. It was a real treat to read her words and follow her advice. Her handwriting is unmistakable, so I couldn’t help but think of her sweet character each time I looked at the page.
We enjoyed the bread and I am making it again today.
I didn’t plan to share the recipes because I wanted to post mostly healthy, “real food” recipes on this blog. But I changed my mind. The truth is, we eat real food most of the time, but do enjoy treats on a regular basis 🙂
I usually grind my own wheat and make this soaked, yeasted loaf from Sue Gregg. It is good, but I have read that sourdough is better for you than yeasted bread (here is an informative article from The Nourishing Gourmet). However, so far my whole wheat sourdough has been a flop. But I am working on it. Actually, Wardeh from GNOWFGLINS is starting a sourdough e-course this week. I am excited to participate in it and hope to get very comfortable with sourdough. I figure homemade sourdough with white flour is still better than store bought.
Here is Grandma’s recipe. She called it Sourdough Jack. (I’ll share her second recipe after I try it.)
Sourdough Jack
Makes Extra Sourdough Bread
Put 1 cup of sourdough starter into a large bowl.
Stir in 1 cup of warm water and 2 cups of flour.
Mix well. Let stand, covered, for 14-36 hours. The longer it stands, the more tang it will develop.
Work in:
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 2 cups flour (more if mix is sticky)
Turn dough onto board and knead until silky smooth.
Let rest 10 minutes.
Shape into 1 or 2 loaves. (I did 2 loaves and they were quite small.)
Let rise on cookie sheet for 30 minutes in a warm place. (I let mine rise a little longer than this.)
Put shallow pan of water in oven on lower shelf.
Preheat to 400 degrees.
Make diagonal slashes on bread.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until crust is medium/dark brown.
Set on rack to cool.
I purchased my San Francisco Sourdough starter from Cultures For Health and am very happy with it (and with Cultures for Health for that matter). You can make your own. But I have not done so yet.
Finding this recipe was certainly a Finer Thing! This post is linked to Finer Things Friday at Amy's Finer Things. Hop on over there to be encouraged!
Oh my, that looks so good! Everyone needs a grandmother like that! I’m blessed to have a sweet lady like that in my life, too. She’s Italian and spends all her time in the kitchen! She’s one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. It’s certainly a blessing to have people like that in our lives!
By the way, I really like the look of your blog. It has a very clean and organized look. And the purple flower and white background are very pretty!
Handwriting from our loved ones is a precious treasure! That bread looks delicious, too. 🙂
Your sourdough bread crust and all look really soft. Is this so?
Mine always turns out with a hard crust that the kids don’t like so much.
I wonder if it is the recipe or my starter.
Yes, it is quite soft. I’m not experienced enough to know why! I do bake it with a pan of water in the oven for steam. Do you do that?
Baking is a definite science, and breads are no different. When making sourdough breads the liquids are the structural frame work (as defined by “Sourdough Legend “Sourdough Jack””) and will define the type of sourdough crust outcome. Water will make your crusts hard and crispy, while milk will make them soft and golden brown. He also states that sugar will also assist in the browning of the crust. Salt gives it it’s flavor, while eggs add richness in flavor and color. Jack also states that using Hard Winter Wheat flour is a must for the best tasting sourdough breads. Kneading produces a fine, even light texture, and has better keeping qualities and requires two rising periods. A batter dough mixes quickly and no kneading is necessary. This also results in a more porous bread outcome. Hope this helps =)
Thanks for the tips, Jenn.