Alaska Sourdough

by Ruth Allman

"Sourdough is a magical food", as author Ruth Allman was fond of saying. There are folks in Alaska who claim the staff of life in their sourdough pots is more than 40 years old or date it to the time when Fairbanks was a mining town.  Handwwritten to match the old-timers recipes, this book includes directions for several starters that can ripen in varying times, three days to one year.

In this witty and useful last word on sourdough cookery, there are more than 95 recipes, loads of time-tested advice for the novice, and plenty of lore for sourdough fans.

In this classic last word on sourdough cookery, there are recipes for Alaskan frontier staples (hotcakes to doughnuts) with time-tested advice and love.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do with that sourdough starter that you made during the pandemic? “Alaska Sourdough” has the answers.

This classic sourdough recipe mainstay has been in print for over fifty years and has now been reprinted. It, of course, includes the basic information and old favorite recipes, but it also has new ways to use that starter you have growing in the fridge. If you managed to get through the pandemic without making sourdough starter, there are instructions on making that as well.
Sourdough bread has been a staple for years, and now a new generation of bakers can expand from bread to waffles, muffins, coffee cakes, and even doughnuts and cookies.

“Alaska Sourdough” is a full-service sourdough resource for everyone. Happy baking and happy eating!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on sourdough. I'd like to try many recipes from this book. I intend on getting a starter going and keeping it alive for as long as possible so I can try all the recipes I have bookmarked. I have experimented once before with sourdough and made a very nice cake but didn't keep any back to continue on. I won't be making that mistake again.

Ruth gives recipes for many things, including waffles, cookies, cakes and bread.

The history of sourdough was interesting to read about. I recommend this book to sourdough newcomers as the processes and recipes are explained in a very simple manner.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in a little free library in Healy, Alaska. It was an INCREDIBLE find. Cannot believe my luck. I read the whole thing cover to cover and I’m psyched to get home and get a starter going…

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short quick book on sourdough. I was lent the book, I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own. It was interesting to read about the history and importance of sourdough in pioneering times in Alaska. However, I didn't find the book actually that helpful in terms of making and maintaining sourdough. She has a couple pages on creating a sourdough starter but it really wasn't that detailed or helpful. Then the rest of the book was recipes. I'd give this a pass if you're looking for a more informational book, but it was a very short, quick weekend read regardless.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last week I was introduced to sourdough starter and making bread! I was given this book to read and it was a fun, short "step back in time" affair with some really good basics on the art of this type of baking. The recipes are not complicated and each chapter starts with a basic recipe that the author simply adds to in later renditions. I liked this book for the charm as well as the simple pieces of advise that helped to build my confidence in this new hobby.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part history book, part recipe book, this is entirely charming. It feels like being given someone's grandma's recipe collection, and also their good cooking anecdotes too (the entire thing is handwritten!!!). I can't wait to try out some of the recipes.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half recipe book, half paean to sourdough, all charming. I'm glad this handwritten book exists, and I'm glad a friend picked it up at a yard sale with me in mind. I don't currently have need of a method to render bear fat, but if I do in the future, Ruth will help me out.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in my local used book store and picked it up to inspire me anew to use that sourdough at the back of my fridge. The hotcake recipe is much easier than the previous pancake recipe I'd been using and so much tastier, too! I'm looking forward to trying more recipes.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

There should be a series where you take one food (i.e. sourdough) and write a book with history, annecdotes, and endless recipes. Fantastic format and +1 for being hand-written and illustrated.

[Sarah Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool book, there's so much love in this book. I love how Ruth talks about sourdough, it made me fall in love with baking bread.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot about sourdough and looking forward to tryin my hand at sourdough

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sourdough history was interesting. Recipes look good.

[Meran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook was very entertaining to read... all the Alaskan lore was fascinating. I even learned a few more definitions for some common words. :D

Not all the recipes are useful to me. (I'm gluten free) But, I've built my own starter and it's quite nice and sour, being over a year old (yes, we pay attention to that, we Sourdough bread freaks), and even though this author says it can't be done, it can, with gluten free flours. And the bread never gets tough (as does Alaskan, apparently) I'm going to be trying some of these pretty soon.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about using sourdough. I'm completely enamoured with the stuff...

[Sarah B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent bread baking book!