We have fermentation!

I've been interested in baking bread for a while and since I have some time on my hands, I figure now is a good time to start. Although I am a little worried that our kitchen is simply too chilly for dough to rise properly.

While trolling the internet for yeast-bread recipes, I came across this create-your-own-sourdough-starter post and thought I'd give it a shot. It sounded easy enough. 1/2 cup flour mixed with 1/2 cup water, cover, and let the wild yeast in the air make its way in. I was a little skeptical that there would be enough wild yeast in the air in winter, but tried anyway. And low and behold, it worked! When I checked it 24 hours later, it was bubbly and kind of gross, but in the best way.

I've been feeding it another 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup flour every day for about two days now. It creeps me out that it's called "feeding." That sucker is alive! Blech and yum! all at the same time.

Last night it was nice and stinky, sour smelling. We have another feeding tonight and if all goes well, it should be ready to use tomorrow, which is ideal because we're supposed to be buried under a foot of snow. And there's no better way to spend a snowy Saturday than baking sourdough bread from a homegrown starter! Wheeeeee!

Pictures of said such fermentation to come.