The Clever Carrot is actually where I had my first real success with SD! It was also the first time I measured ingredients by weight...

I would highly recommend this recipe with 60% water (300 g) rather than what the recipe calls for. It yields a nice, drier dough that is great for beginners who aren't quite sure how to handle and shape super sticky SD.

Kristen comes through again with a biology-based take on home baking and beautiful, open crumb SD. Check out her website for more recipes & pro tips on home baking.

The best success I've had with whole wheat sourdough is when using a mix of about 25% whole wheat and 75% white flour. I think mixing flours, especially whole wheat, gives sourdough an amazing flavor! This boule was my first real success with whole wheat (:

Italian herbs (& cheese) is by far the most popular of my sourdough recipes! This one is so easy, and also easily spiced up. It started as a take on Rosemary Garlic sourdough, and just began to collect more mix-ins as time went on. I like to add some parmesan or asiago when I've got it on hand.

mix ins:

1 large clove garlic, minced or roasted

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp rosemary

1/4 tsp thyme

1/2 c. parmesean/asiago (optional)

I got the idea behind this recipe from a good friend, who frequently makes this SD with pickled jalapeños she makes herself! I'm not sure how she does the cheddar; I've tried a Great Harvest inspired chunk of cheese, which has turned out all right. This is a flavor I'm still experimenting with, though.

mix ins:

4-8 jalapeño peppers, your level of spice

1 large clove garlic, minced

3/4 block of cheddar cheese, cut into 1-in. cubes (I'm going to double check that amount next time I make this; it seems right, but I'll weigh the cheese, just go off your best judgement)

This was the first sourdough that got me hooked on mix-ins.. my mom used to make it when I was in high school and there's nothing like coming home to freshly baked sourdough, plus the mix-ins are so simple.

mix ins:

2 tsp. rosemary

1 large clove garlic, minced or roasted

So much thanks to a kind friend who sent me some cinnamon chips to play with! For locals, you can pick these up at Lee's marketplace and apparently Walmart.. although I haven't seen them there yet. This bread was a favorite! I don't think it stayed on the counter longer than a few hours.

mix ins:

1/2 - 3/4 bag cinnamon chips

~200 g apple bits (optional)

1/2 tsp cardamom (optional)