Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Potato Starter "Everlasting Yeast"

Tutorial Tuesday we are also doing a giveaway. Did you get that? Okay. Just checking to see how close folks are reading. This is an EatSmart kitchen scale. In the past I've been all about making things easy for people who don't have kitchen scales for weighing and measuring stuff on my blog. Usually I just use measuring cups, but today for this particular starter I think we should be a bit more accurate. As a general rule, weight is the most accurate way to measure. In this case Potato starter around here is basically a yeast replacement that means, quite literally, you never have to purchase yeast again. Did that hit. What is the main expense usually when you make bread? That dang yeast packet right? What if that expense went away forever? Not that it's a huge amount of money, but if you only spend 50$ a year on yeast packets...I'm just saying. Potatoes are way cheaper.
The folks who make this scale where kind enough to have a give away on my blog. Isn't that cool? Here's how it will work.
1. Leave a comment to enter.
2. Tell your friends via your blog or face book about this giveaway and potato starter.
The price on the scale is so budget friendly, and they are just sleek and swanky looking. I'm so glad I got a red one!
Now...on to the yeast.
Potato Starter (basic everlasting yeast)
4 oz cooked potato, mashed smooth (about 3/4 cup packed) Cooled to room temperature.
1 cup water
1/8 tsp active dry yeast
Combine all in a one quart plastic container (or larger depending on how much you want to make) and keep at 75 degree room temperature for 2-3 days. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent boogie bugs from getting in there. Don't use metal. I don't reccomend it, in case you do take your sweet time using the start and it goes into the depths of sourdough. Eeek that would make a mess of a metal container.
I like to puree mine in a blender to start it really going. After the first puree you don't have to puree it every time, but I like to make the smooth stuff. It just morphs better into the dough. Morph...is that the right word? That's like what superheroes do when they go from their secret identity plain self into the Mega dudes, right?
In 2 days we'll check back with this so you can see how it should look, along with giving out some amazing recipes and ways to use that starter from here on out. Isn't that amazing? Now, if you're interested is joining along, get your potatoes cooked, mashed and started. Can you use instant mashed potatoes? Yes...just use 4 oz prepared...but don't use the butter or milk, just water.
Want in on the kitchen scale giveaway? Leave a comment and tell your friends. Winner will be announced Saturday morning. We'll be using the scale all week though, so it should be fun to show how accurate your baking can become by using a scale.
Potato starter will be used on Thursday in an amazing Onion potato bread with amazing depth and flavor. Don't miss it. Get that starter going. I dare you.

Curious about the EatSmart scale? Check them out at http://www.eatsmartproducts.com/

There you go.

33 comments:

Pamela said...

I love your bread recipes! I could use a new kitchen scale, mine bit the dust yesterday. Darn cats!

Anonymous said...

What a great little scale! Would make baking so much easier. I am currently using a grape sourdough starter, but will have to try this potato method. Thanks for such a great blog.

Kelly

Lynn said...

Of course we are paying attention. Well I guess I am speaking for myself. I am excited about this starter. I had a sourdough starter years ago and just loved it.
I would love to have one of these scales.
Thank you

Coby said...

Another starter... my husband is going to think I'm nuts! I'm already addicted to the sourdough after a month. I love potato breads though, so I think I will have to start this one too...I will have to have a dedicated "corner" for all my jars of starter!

Shellee said...

I want a scale. I broke mine a few months back and have been actually measuring instead of weighing everything. Argh, you know what that's like!

Thanks for making a cake for my b'day, I hope you enjoyed it. You're so funny! Love you.

Dori said...

I'm not sure my long suffering husband can handle another pot of something bubbling away in the fridge...but I'm intrigued. How high does it bubble--what size container do you recommend storing the starter in? And how do you keep it going (you're probably covering that later).

Never used kitchen scales--I'm a fast learner though. :)

Jeri said...

I would LOVE to have a new kitchen scale. My first one got melted on the stove (courtesy of my children) and someone borrowed my most recent one and it it came back missing parts and broken. ARGH!!!

Pamela said...

All I have is Instant Yeast. Will this work? Is there a different measurement?

Thanks!

Chef Tess said...

On the subject of a corner for sourdough starters...yea, we have one of those. Poor Ace, OCD can't stand going to the corner and always asks if we can toss some of this goo...to which I always say, "that alien spawn makes good bread". Dori...I did go back and edit the container size. It should be a quart or larger, but it doesn't get to bubbly. Pamela, you can use instant yeast, half as much as you would of the active dry. Excellent questions and wonderful comments my friends. I love to read them all. Smoooches.

Shae Ko said...

Okay, a kitchen scale was on my Christmas wish list and no one got it for me. Could this be my lucky week?

Heffalump said...

I think it would be cool to have a kitchen scale...
I never knew you could use potatoes to make a starter...I am now educated!

Kelli said...

I have never had a kitchen scale, but would love one. Love your blog!

Kelli said...

I have never had a kitchen scale, but would love one. Love your blog!

Texas Grandma said...

I love your blog and I love this bread recipe! I would love to win this scale - would make all my baking that much easier. Will try this recipe this weekend. Thanks.

Texas Grandma
pgross4355(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jenny Arzola said...

I have never had a kitchen scale, but would love one.

Anonymous said...

Enter us too!!

Trish said...

SO fabulous! I'm all about starters at this house. They make me happy.

:) I'll facebook it since I don't think anyone reads my blog anymore. ;)

Justin said...

I would love to have a kitchen scale for Maya. We had one that had a dial (old school), but a digital would be great! Don't know how many people see my Facebook, but I'll post it there as well.

ES said...

Hey, do you think you could make this with a sweet potato/yam (the orange one!) instead? I also blogged about it on my blog.

Bergamot said...

this looks interesting... will definitely visit again to check out the outcome

Mom2BJM(Amy) said...

OOHH!! I've b een wanting a kitchen scale, but haven't got one yet...

Goob said...

AHHHH, I WANT A SCALE! And I want a red one, of course, I'll take any color, but red would be like totally and completely the best. And I'm so excited about potato starter! I love learning new baking tricks from you.

Goob said...

and while we're on the topic of starters and metal containers, this question has been bugging me for a long time. What exactly IS the consequence for using metal in a sourdough starter? Is it just a funky taste? Or is it something far more sinister than that?

Karen Dyck said...

My scale is a very primitive one - mechanical rather than digital and is due for a replacement. I'm not making bread much these days, but I'll keep the potato starter in mind.

suz71968 said...

This is so amazing. I can't wait to give this starter I try today. I have four people coming to my house this evening to make bread. Wish we could use it right away or knew about it. But I think we will all start our own together tonight. Love the look of the scale as well. Very smart idea to have it be visible out from the bowl.

Unknown said...

i love this idea, i have such bad luck with yeast being consistent!
And i would love this food scale! love it!

i am going to facebook

Unknown said...

I facebooked you!!

Big D said...

Very cool! I need to have my wife try this out!

Michael Fassbinder said...

Love that potato bread recipe. Bacon and onion seasoning, mmmmm.

the other Lisa said...

Steph, you rock I Love,Love,Love Bread,more than dessert,not more than chocolate though. RE:FB I think you have been to my dark place(dark but delicious), chocolate baguettes.Fork me I'm done. Does a scale make me a better cook? Then sign me up,I need all the help I can get.
The other Lisa
PS Need a 440z DP?

Tracey said...

A scale would be great. I can't wait to try the potatoe starter.

Donia said...

I've been looking for a new starter recipe! And I love the scale too. Thanks.

luv2cknbk said...

I bake a lot and would love to get one of these scales.
Love your blog - don't remember how I linked on to it last year but have now saved to my favorites list for faster access. Thanks for your inspiring recipes and tutorials.
BPL