Sourdough bread

[crookedsprout]

Do any of you have a recipe for making a sourdough starter that is pretty easy? Also, I'm trying to find a pan which is good for baking bread in. Do any of you use a cast iron pan? I really want a crunchy crust.

[eastkygal]

I love the NT recipe. It's as simple as it gets IMO. I use stoneware and a glass loaf pan for bread baking. I get a crispy crust.

[forestrymom]

I don't use a loaf pan for most of my sourdough bread recipes. I use pizza stones and do them french style, and I get a nice crispy crust. As for the starter, I bought mine about a year ago and its still going strong, even though I left it in the fridge for over a month without feeding it (morning sickness had me not doing much of anything kitchen related).

[BedHead]

I got starter from this site, and I use their basic recipe for the bread - it's dead simple.

http://home.att.net/~carlsfriends/

If you're looking to make your own starter, Wild Fermentation talks about it - I have the book but I didn't try to capture my own starter.

I use stainless steel loaf pans and lots of butter - my loaves are not usually crunchy.

[Leersia]

I made a sourdough starter by plopping an organic plum into a 1:1 mixture of whole wheat flour and water. After a few days, it was bubbling away, and it is still going strong, making awesome bread. I got the method from the Katz book, Wild Fermentation. Couldn't believe how easy it was!

[Leersia]

Also, for a great crust, bake it in a clay baker or a dutch oven with the lid on for most of the baking time. I actually just use a very wide steel pan with a lid. You heat the pan up with the oven, and then transfer the loaf in (after letting it rise on parchment) and cover it up. Cover off for the last 10-15 minutes. The steam produced using this method makes an awesome crust.