Author Topic: A new (and free) ebook on using excess sourdough starter (Read 4369 times)

Bill/SFNM · « **on:** August 14, 2012, 03:14:52 PM »

My new iBook is in the iTunes bookstore!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dont-dump-sourdough-starter!/id552770565?ls=1

It's free!!! It's a little spinoff from a much more comprehensive project I'm working on regarding sourdough culture fundamentals and applying them to create all kinds of pizza crusts.

"Don't DumpThe Sourdough Starter!" contains recipes with detailed videos of 4 of my favorite things to do with excess starter:

- Waffles
- Roasted chile cornbread
- Batter for deep-frying chicken, shrimp, onion rings, etc.
- Steamed Asian dumplings.

Currently, this book is only available for iPads and only from the US iTunes store.

I have also created a Google+ page to talk about these recipes, variations on them, and other great things to do with leftover starter. If there is enough interest we can do some hangouts (real-time video meet-ups)!

I hope you have an iPad and can download the book. It was a blast to create and I really think you will enjoy the recipes.

RobynB · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2012, 03:49:57 PM »

Any chance it will be available outside the i-sphere at some point?

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2012, 05:23:51 PM »

Quote from: RobynB on August 14, 2012, 03:49:57 PM

Any chance it will be available outside the i-sphere at some point?

That's a good question, Robyn. It is something I have given a lot of thought. This little ebook was more of a proof-of-concept to better understand current multimedia platforms that you can use to cook from. With over 84 million iPads sold, the "i-sphere" was an obvious choice for my first stab at a cookbook.

Assuming a target device that is convenient to use in the kitchen while cooking, what would be your preference?

RobynB · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2012, 06:00:43 PM »

If I was using it in the kitchen, it would either be on my phone (Droid w/Kindle) or on my computer, but I don't know how many people have computers in their kitchens. Even with mine, if I'm actually following a recipe (rare for me) I would print it and have a hard copy on the island. I certainly see how it would be ideal on an iPad, I just also know that it would be equally nice on another brand of tablet

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2012, 07:28:15 PM »

Got to get you out of the hard copy mode - won't work for videos which are major part of this ebook. Also you can markup the recipes with your own notes which are stored with the ebook for future reference.

TXCraig1 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2012, 05:42:19 PM »

It looks great Bill. I knew the photography would be topnotch, and I can't wait to try the waffles and onion rings.

CL

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2012, 07:25:58 PM »

Quote from: TXCraig1 on August 15, 2012, 05:42:19 PM

It looks great Bill. I knew the photography would be topnotch, and I can't wait to try the waffles and onion rings.

CL

Thank you, Craig, for the kind words. Try some sriracha salt on anything fried in the sourdough batter.

Jet_deck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2012, 11:31:03 PM »

Congrats Bill on the app. More so, those are great applications for the remnants of the culture.

deb415611 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2012, 06:57:50 AM »

Very nice Bill. Thank you

now I need to wake up my sad, neglected (but faithful) starter

RamirOk · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2012, 03:07:00 PM »

Is it possible to make it available to Iphones?

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2012, 06:06:36 PM »

Quote from: RamirOk on August 16, 2012, 03:07:00 PM

Is it possible to make it available to Iphones?

iBooks not supported [yet] on iPhone. Sorry.

RamirOk · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2012, 01:17:47 PM »

Quote from: Bill/SFNM on August 16, 2012, 06:06:36 PM

iBooks not supported [yet] on iPhone. Sorry.

The iBooks app is also on the iPhone, maybe this is why is only for the iPad: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4007987?start=0&tstart=0

TXCraig1 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2012, 02:03:35 PM »

I made the waffles from Bill’s book this morning, and let me say THEY ARE INCREDIBLE. After eating them, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a waffle before. Even with the crappy Sunbeam waffle iron I had to work with, they were by far the best. Just like a great pizza – feather light, tender on the inside, and a paper thin outer crust. You can really see it in the last picture. I used Ischia, and they had a very sour taste that paired perfectly with the sweet Vermont maple syrup. I may never make another type of waffle.

A couple preparation suggestions – once you pour in the batter, don’t touch it. Don’t spear it around the waffle iron. You will knock out much of the bubbles. After your pour in the batter, let it cook with the top open for 7 seconds or so then close it up.

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2012, 02:36:31 PM »

Quote from: TXCraig1 on August 19, 2012, 02:03:35 PM

I made the waffles from Bill’s book this morning, and let me say THEY ARE INCREDIBLE. After eating them, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a waffle before.

Thank you, Craig for the kind words. It means a lot to me that you liked the recipe.

TXCraig1 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2012, 09:38:47 PM »

The onion rings are incredible too. I lightly floured the rings, battered, then fried at 375F. I seasoned the batter with some salt and cayenne and finished it with milk to a consistency between a pancake and a crepe batter. The SD flavor is much more subtle than in the waffles. They rings stay very crispy for a long long time.

DannyG · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2012, 10:37:40 AM »

Bill, I downloaded the book but I'm not sure if it's coming down correctly.
The first page "The Starter" says "See the movie on this page for the steps I use, which are summarized below." There is no movie on this page or any steps. The next page goes right into the recipes. Am I missing something?

Follow up - I was missing something, just flip the iPad to landscape mode and it's all there!

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2012, 11:09:10 AM »

Quote from: DannyG on August 20, 2012, 10:37:40 AM

Bill, I downloaded the book but I'm not sure if it's coming down correctly.
The first page "The Starter" says "See the movie on this page for the steps I use, which are summarized below." There is no movie on this page or any steps. The next page goes right into the recipes. Am I missing something?

I'll PM you.

Bill/SFNM · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:15:29 PM »

After just 4 weeks, my book has been steadily climbing and is now number 15 in its iTunes category! That's really cool since this thread is the only place I've mentioned it. Very gratifying given all the work I put into it. Thanks to all who have downloaded it.

TXCraig1 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2012, 11:37:35 PM »

Thanks for the recipes. Best waffles and onions rings I've ever made.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2012, 09:21:04 AM »

Congrats Bill! Ill download it today and give it a spin. Thanks for sharing this with us. Let me know if you want help doing a live video project.

Chau