Name: Amy Scherber's Sponge Starter
Ingredients: 1 1/2 c (12 ounces) very warm water; (105 to 115 degrees); 1/4 ts Active dry yeast; 3 1/2 c (16 ounces) unbleached; All-purpose flour; 1 2 quart clear plastic; Container

In trial and weakness and trouble, He seeks to bring us low, until we learn that His grace is all, and to take pleasure in the very thing that brings us and keeps us low. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. His presence filling and satisfying our emptiness, becomes the secret of humility that need never fail. The humble man has learned the secret of abiding gladness. The weaker he feels, the lower he sinks, and the greater his humiliations appear, the more power and the presence of Christ are his portion.

Andrew Murray

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
		Bread, Starter	1	Starter

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2	c	(12 ounces) very warm water
		(105 to 115 degrees)
1/4	ts	Active dry yeast
3 1/2	c	(16 ounces) unbleached
		All-purpose flour
1		2 quart clear plastic
		Container

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and stir vigorously with
a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes, until a smooth, somewhat elastic batter
has formed. The batter will be very stiff; it gets softer and more elastic
after it has proofed. You may find it easier to mix the sponge using
electric mixer, with a paddle or a dough hook, on medium speed for 1 to 2
minutes. Scrape the sponge into a 2-quart clear plastic container and cover
with plastic wrap. At this point you have two options:
If you plan to make your dough later that same day, let the sponge rest at
room temperature until it has risen to the point where it just begins to
collapse. This may take from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature of
the sponge, the temperature of the room, and the strength of the yeast. The
sponge will triple in volume and small dents and folds will begin to appear
in the top as it reaches its peak and then begins to deflate. The sponge is
now in perfect condition to be used in a dough. It's best if you have
already weighed or measured out all of your other recipe ingredients before
the sponge reaches this point so you can use it before it collapses too
much.
If you're not planning to make your dough until the next day or the day
after, put the covered sponge in the refrigerator and let it rise there for
at least 14 hours before taking it out to use in a recipe. Be sure to
compensate for the cold temperature of the starter by using warm water (85
to 90 degrees) in the dough instead of the cool water specified in the
recipe. Or let the starter sit out, covered, until it reaches room
temperature (this may take several hours)-but don't let it collapse to much
before you use it.
BAKERS' DOZEN AMY SCHERBER SHOW #BD1A52 Copyright, 1996, TV FOOD NETWORK,
G.P., All Rights Reserved
Posted to Bakery-Shoppe Digest V1 #230 by Bill <thelma@pipeline.com> on Sep
11, 1997

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