DIY Sourdough

The Moody family has been making traditional foods, including with grains, for over a decade. John Moody is the founder of Whole Life Services and Whole Life Buying Club and the former executive director of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. John discovered more than a decade ago that his diet was literally killing him with duodenal ulcers, seasonal allergies, and other health problems, so the family began to transition to real local foods and local food distribution. Involved with farming, food, and homesteading, John is a well-known speaker at conferences, events, and media including Mother Earth News, Wise Traditions, and Hobby Farms/Chicken Magazine. The Moody family of two old-timers and five rambunctious kids farms and homesteads on 35 acres in Kentucky.

Acknowledgments

Introduction
How We Got into Sourdough
Why Sourdough?
Why Whole Grains?
Why We Recommend You Stick with Organic Grains and Flours
What You Need for Sourdough
Flour Buying Tips and Tricks
Grind Your Own Grains, Not As Hard As You Think
Grain-to-Flour Conversions
Home Milling Tips
     How Much to Mill at a Time
     Fineness
     Freshness
Why Spelt and Other Older Grains for Sourdough
Hey, Batter Batter! The Importance of Batter Consistency

1 Simple Sourdough Basics
A Simple Sourdough Schedule
     Starters Take time
How to Create Your Own Sourdough Starter
Simple Step-by-Step Instructions for Whole Grain Sourdough Starter
Maintaining Your Sourdough Starter
    Timing of Feedings and Finding Your Sourdough's Sweet Spot
    The Not-So-Uncommon Failed Sourdough Starter
    What to Do When You Need to Travel or Take a Few Days Off?
    The Need for a Backup Starter
    Waking Up Stored Starter
    Buying Starters
    Borrowing Starters

Common Problems that Cause Sourdough Consternation
Mold
House Too Hot, House Too Cold
Cross Contamination
Metal and Sourdough?
Too Sour
Not Enough Rise

2 Breakfast
English Muffins
Hell Hath No Pastry Like My Wife's Scones
Pancakes and Waffles
Pancakes
Zucchini Waffles
French Toast

3 Lunch
Breads
Irish Soda Bread/English Muffin Bread
Croutons
Crackers
    Rolling Crackers
    Scoring Crackers
Basic Crackers
    Beyond Basic Crackers
Artisan Spelt Bread

4 Dinner
Biscuits
What's the Difference Between a Biscuit, Roll, Muffin, and So Many Other Baked Goods?
Rolls
Empanadas

5 Snacks and Special Treats
Muffins
Basic Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Banana Bread

6 Resources and Sundry Matters
Kitchen Equipment
    Cast Iron
    Glass
    Stoneware
    Measuring Equipment
    Grain Mills
Online Resources
    Traditional Cooking School
    Cultures for Health
    Homemade Food Junkie

About the Authors
A note About the Publisher