Nancy Silverton's Sourdough Bread Starter

You will need 1 yard of washed and rinsed cheesecloth.

The initial starter mixture - approx. 6 days

• Stir the flour and water together in a 2-quart glass or plastic container, mixing well - but do not worry about a few lumps, they will disintegrate later.
• Lay the grapes on a double layer of the washed cheesecloth and tie opposite corners together to form a bag. Lightly crush the grapes with a rolling pin, then swish the bag through the flour/water mixture and submerge. Cover tightly with a lid or with plastic wrap and a rubber band.
• Leave at room temperature for six days, stirring it up once a day. The bag of grapes will gradually appear inflated, and liquid will begin to separate from the flour base. The mixture will begin to taste and smell slightly fruity and the color will be strange. That is as it should be.
• By the sixth day, the bag of grapes will have deflated, the color will be yellow, and the taste pleasantly sour: the fermentation is complete. The starter is living but weak, and it needs to be fed.

Feeding the Starter

• 3 days: Lift out the bag of grapes and squeeze their juices back into the starter, then discard the grapes.
• Stir up the starter thoroughly, transfer it into a clean container. (Although you can use it after just one feeding, the starter will be stronger and healthier with the full treatment.)
• Three days before you plan to use it, stir 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of water into the container, blending well. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until it bubbles up - 3 or 4 hours - then cover and refrigerate.
• Repeat the feeding the second day, and again on the third, and your starter is ready to use. Storing the Starter.
• Store the starter tightly covered in the refrigerator, where it will keep perfectly for 4 to 6 months - after which it is a good idea to pour off all but 2 cups and give it another feeding.
• Before using the stored starter for bread, however, give it the full 3 day feeding schedule once again to strengthen it and to tone down excess sourness. It is then ready to use. Note: Always bring the starter to room temperature before using.