Wild Waffles

The sourdough discard that is the base of these quick, easy waffles is ful of wild yeast and bacteria, but what’s real y wild is what happens when you add baking soda. Depending on how acidic your discard is, a little pinch of baking soda might be plenty. If you add too much baking soda, there might be a smal volcano in your kitchen! The addition of a smal amount of spelt or buckwheat flour adds a flavor boost, but you can substitute any other flour you like. MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS (350 MILLILITERS) OF BATTER, ENOUGH FOR 2 TO 4 WAFFLES, DEPENDING ON YOUR WAFFLE IRON. THIS RECIPE ASSUMES YOUR DISCARD IS AT 100% HYDRATION. TOTAL FLOUR: 130 GRAMS (0.3 POUND) PRE-FERMENTED FLOUR: 88% HYDRATION: 165% WHOLE GRAIN: 12% DOUGH: 356 GRAMS (0.8 POUND) AHEAD OF TIME Collect Sourdough Discard (up to 2 weeks) Store the discard from established starter refreshments in a loosely covered pint jar in the refrigerator until you have enough. Don’t worry if it forms colored hooch or continues bubbling.

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

WAFFLE DAY

Step 2

Mix the Batter (5 minutes)

Step 3

1. Preheat and prepare your waffle iron according to its instructions.

Step 4

2. Whisk vigorously with a fork in the jar until uniform consistency: 230 grams discard (1 cup)

Step 5

3. Add to the discard jar and continue whisking until smooth: 100 grams eggs (2 large)

Step 6

15 grams spelt or buckwheat flour (2 tablespoons) 2 grams salt (¼ teaspoon)

Step 7

8 grams honey or sugar (1 teaspoon; optional, promotes browning) The batter should be thick but pourable, and the consistency will vary due to differences in the starter discard consistency. If the batter is runny, continue adding flour, a spoonful at a time, and whisking it in until it thickens. If the batter seems too thick, add water or milk.

Step 8

4. Add, a pinch at a time, and whisk vigorously until the batter begins to bubble:

Step 9

1 gram or less baking soda (⅛ teaspoon)

Step 10

Cook the Waffles (10 minutes)

Step 11

Cook the batter in your waffle iron according to its instructions.