That Time We Learned How to Make Sourdough Bread From Scratch

My son and I joined master chef Ron Tressler in his home kitchen/YouTube studio to learn how to make sourdough bread from scratch! 

My mom’s Uncle Edwin stole a starter (a family secret) from either my great-grandma or her sister-in-law and took it to The Nugget Casino in Sparks (Reno), where they used it for YEARS (maybe even still do today, I don’t know). It was a huge family controversy! 

This sweeeet loaf of sourdough bread is long gone, but it was delicious! 

I’ve always been intimidated by anything labeled “artisan.” including bread. I never though I’d be able to make it in my own home. I’d heard of friends making Amish Friendship bread and even sourdough bread from starters (I was even gifted starters before. 3 guesses what happened to those starters… *hint* I was too terrified to ever touch them). I’d seen pizza dough starters on tv and was super confused and intimidated when they talked about taking the starter for a walk and bacteria growth and such.  

I couldn’t believe how easy Ron’s methods are for making sourdough bread! I didn’t need any fancy mixers or equipment. (Yes, there are a few toys Ron has invested in that make the job a bit easier—like a heated box for the dough to rise in), but all you really need to make this is the bread ingredients, a bowl and spoon for mixing, a jar for the starter, cast iron bread pans or dutch oven (for best results, but there are other ways to bake it) and either a food scale or another method to measure ingredients. 

I will admit, I was a little scared when he sent me home with a starter of my own, terrified I’d kill it. BUT he also had a video on how to make your own sourdough bread starter. (And, since he’s my neighbor, I can always beg for another.) Actually, Ron is super nice and will send anyone (in the USA) a free starter if they pay shipping and handling. (Just contact him through his YouTube channel.)

He also answered things I’ve always wondered about fancy bread like this, such as where do the pretty rings on the bread loaves come from? (The dough is placed in a special floured bowl with lines in it when is rises.) And how do you make pretty designs in the bread? (Turns out, it’s called scoring.)

Ron has videos on pretty much everything you could ever need to know about making sourdough bread. It’s shockingly easy and sooo yummy! These loaves never last long in our house!

Thanks for the delicious sourdough bread, Ron!