Pliny The Elder Recipes Full Of Flavor

Have you ever wanted to create a unique and flavorful sourdough bread starter? Today, I’m excited to share a recipe inspired by Pliny the Elder’s Chickling Vetch Sourdough Bread Starter. This method not only allows you to harness the power of fermentation but also introduces a delightful twist with chickling vetch. Let’s dive into the process and create something truly special!

Pliny the Elder’s Chickling Vetch Sourdough Bread Starter

This sourdough starter is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their baking with a unique flavor profile that chickling vetch brings. Not only is this starter easier to maintain, but it also adds richness to your baked goods.

Ingredients

½ cup dried chickling vetch
1½ cups lukewarm water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar or honey
1 packet active dry yeast (optional, for a quicker start)

Instructions

Begin by soaking the dried chickling vetch in lukewarm water for about 8 hours or overnight. This helps to soften the legumes and activate their natural properties.
After soaking, drain and rinse the chickling vetch. Then, blend them with 1½ cups of fresh lukewarm water until smooth. The mixture should have a thick yet pourable consistency.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickling vetch puree with 1 cup of all-purpose flour and the sugar or honey. If you’re using yeast, add it at this stage. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and leave it to ferment in a warm area, ideally around 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C), for 24 to 48 hours. You should start to see bubbles forming as the fermentation process begins.
Once your starter is bubbly and has approximately doubled in size, it’s ready for baking! You can feed your starter by removing half of it and replenishing it with ½ cup of flour and ½ cup of water every 12 to 24 hours to keep it alive and active.

With this vibrant chickling vetch sourdough starter, you’re on your way to baking unique loaves that stand out. Enjoy the journey of fermentation and the delicious flavors that come with it!