Sourdough bread takes probably twice as long to rise as yeast dough, but it's in fact easier to make as well as quite tasty, based on the quality of the starter. Sourdough also makes great pancakes and rolls. A lot of campers have taken some starter with them and had a good breakfast working for them through the night.
So here's how to make your own sourdough starter:
1 /2 package dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
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Dissolve yeast in water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Gradually add the flour and mix well. Put in scalded jar. Allow to sit at room temperature for a few days, till fermented and foamy. Stir thoroughly and refrigerate. Starter is now set to feed for making bread. It's best to feed starter each week or so, with an equivalent amount. If the starter ferments longer and liquid divides, just stir it back in, feed it and use it.
Feeding your sourdough starter:
1 cup of starter
2 cups warm water
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
Always employ earthenware bowl to let starter rise in. Don't use metal. Beat all the ingredients together using a fork. Remove fork. Sit overnight. Bring back 1 cup of the starter to the refrigerator. This leaves around three cups of starter to use — adequate for some pancakes and two loaves of bread (see sourdough bread and pancake recipes).