Foolproof Sourdough Starter - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk (skim, regular or buttermilk)
1/2 cup unbleached flour

Preparation

Mix the milk and yogurt together in a glass or pottery container (Do not use metal).
Place lid on it, but don't seal it (sealed starters have been known to explode).
Put mixture in a warm place (80 to 90 degrees) for about 24 hours.
The yogurt and milk will separate forming a large curd, when adding the flour just stir it all back together.
Add the flour stir, and put back in warm place for 3 to 5 days; stirring daily.
It will bubble and have the odor of fermentation--it is ready to use.
Remember the starter is a living thing and needs to be fed and fed frequently when an infant.
I feed the \"infant\" weekly by placing it on the counter for several hours and allowing it to come to room temperature.
Then remove 1/2 cup starter, discarding the remainder.
Feed the 1/2 cup with equal amounts of milk (buttermilk will produce a stronger sour taste) and unbleached flour; i.e. 1 cup flour and 1 cup milk plus 1/2 cup of starter.
If you would like, you can feed the starter with 1/3 cup dry milk powder and 2/3 cup bottled water in place of the 1 cup milk.