madbaker: (sourdough)
madbaker ([personal profile] madbaker) wrote2005-06-22 07:40 am
Entry tags:

IT LIVES!

Edit: The previous entry wasn't appearing. I've left it there because it's been linked, but hopefully people will actually see this one.

I've been having problems with my sourdough starter. The culprit seems to be an overly-cool fridge; like most living organisms, too much cold puts the beasties in hibernation mode.

Since I'm planning to use the starter this weekend, I innocently decided to keep the container out on the counter, refreshing with flour and water daily. This should get the sourdough all nice and active for its use in a few days.

That turned out to be an understatement.

The starter turned out to be very much alive. The wife caught it trying to make a run for it - the starter had created a trail down to the floor and was moving towards the back door.

(Click on pictures for larger views)
Floor SchlorpingClose-up of the Great Escape
Floor Schlorping
Close-up of the Great Escape

She tried to clean it up, but the wily starter had barricaded itself in its ceramic container. She had to pry the lid off with a knife, then pour out half the beasties and refresh with flour and water to slow it down. However, being sensible, she also put it on a pie plate in case it tried another escape.

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille
I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille

Sigh. I'm glad it's active, but couldn't it have chosen a less... vigorous way to demonstrate it?

[identity profile] roswtr.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm, now I've got the theme song to The Blob stuck in my head.

[identity profile] cvirtue.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Gory SF movie, here it comes!

[identity profile] goldenstag.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Ain't science grand? <g> At least you know it's not dead ... heh.

[identity profile] wingedcorset.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It's trying to make it's way over to my house, so I can have a sourdough starter of my own!

[identity profile] hyla-regilla.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It's trying to make it's way over to my house, so I can have a sourdough starter of my own!

THERE's your solution. Give sourdough to all your cooking friends!

[identity profile] maestrateresa.livejournal.com 2005-06-22 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It was probably afraid that you'd lock it away in the cold-and-dark again if it didn't make a run for it *now*. ("No! Please! Don't throw me back in the Hole! I'll *die* if you put me back into Solitary!")