Hermann The Birth Starter Recipes

HERMAN SOURDOUGH STARTER

Steps:

• In a large glass or plastic container, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Stir in the flour and sugar, mix until smooth. (DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON)! Cover loosely and store in a warm place overnight.
• The next day, stir and refrigerate.
• Stir once each day for the next four days. On the fifth day, stir, then divide in half. Give half away with feeding instructions.
• Feed starter with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk. Stir until smooth. Cover and place in refrigerator. Stir once each day for next four days.
• On the tenth day feed again with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk. Return to refrigerator and stir once each day for the next four days.
• On the fifteenth day it is ready to be used for baking. Reserve one cup of the starter in the refrigerator and continue to follow the stir and feed cycle (Stir once a day for four days, stir and feed on the fifth day, ready for use on the tenth day.)

HERMAN STARTER

Steps:

• combine all ingredients to a smooth batter in a 2-quart glass or ceramic container (no metal). Cover with cheesecloth or other loose covering, and keep in a warm place (around 80 degrees F) for 3 to 4 days to ferment. It should expand and bubble. When ready it should have a yeasty, slightly sour smell.
• At this point, this is Herman's "First Day" in the ten-day cycle of Herman Life. He's ready for his first feeding.
• Feeding Herman: Mix together 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk, and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir this into Herman, cover loosely, and place in the fridge. It will be lumpy. Stir daily (but if you forget a day, he'll be fine).
• In five days, you'll need to feed him again. (Day 5).
• In five more days (Day 10), you'll feed him again and/or use him to make something. Pay attention to the specific recipe to see whether you feed him just before making the item or afterwards.
• Herman can be used for biscuits, coffeecake, pancakes, cookies, banana bread, sweet rolls, and more. I believe the recipes I have have been handed down from one Herman owner to another for decades. Hope you enjoy!

HERMAN CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine Herman Sweet Sourdough Starter, flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and eggs until well blended.
• Knead dough in bowl for 5 to 7 minutes, or until mixture is smooth.
• Let rise in warm place until doubled. Punch down. On a lightly floured surface, press dough into a 10 x 20 inch rectangle. Combine melted margarine, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread mixture over dough. Sprinkle with walnuts or raisins, if desired.
• Starting on long side, roll up dough, jellyroll fashion. Press ends together to make a seam. Cut in 1-inch slices and place in an ungreased, 11x14 inch cake pan. Allow rolls rise to double their size.
• Bake in a preheated 325 F oven (165 degree C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned.

HERMAN STARTER -- FOR AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar.
• Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added.
• Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture.
• Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly.
• Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle.
• Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
• On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon.
• Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk.
• Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
• Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk.
• Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe.
• Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).

(HERMAN STARTER) SOURDOUGH BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
• Cream together margarine/butter and sugar; add egg and mix until blended.
• Stir in banana and Herman.
• Sift dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, soda) into banana mixture and add nuts if desired. Stir just enough for the batter to come together; extra stirring will make it tougher.
• Pour into loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool thoroughly before slicing.

HERMANN - THE FEEDING AND CARE

Steps:

• HI! I am Hermann, your new family member for the next 10 days and hopefully longer!
• If you treat me right and feed me on time I will give you 3 Hermann babies. I don't like metal, so please use only glass or plastic bowls and a wooden spoon. I will grow a lot and I feel most comfortable in the warm kitchen, just like most people I would rather not live in the fridge! (Depending on your local climate!).
• 1. Day Today I need to rest and get used to my new surroundings.
• 2. - 4. Day On these days I like to have a bit of exercise. Please stir me 1x each day with a wooden or plastic spoon.
• 5. Day I am hungry! Please feed me with 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk and stir until I am smooth again. (Remember, I will grow a lot! So make sure my bowl is big enough, otherwise I might run away from you!).
• 6. - 9. Day I really need some more exercise. Please stir me 1x each day with a wooden or plastic spoon.
• 10. Day Today is my big day! That makes me hungry. First I need to get fed again. Please give me 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk and stir until smooth.
• Now you have to split me into 4 equal portions. 2 of them you can give to friends or family that want to adopt me. 1 you keep for yourself to start over. You can even freeze me, if you're too busy right now. When you're ready again just defrost me and start with Day 1. The 4th portion you get to use for this recipe:.
• Using all the cake ingredients mentioned above.
• Mix all dry ingredients. Stir in all wet ingredients and mix well until batter is smooth.
• Now stir in what ever you have on hand or feel like adding. Cinnamon, fruit, chocolate chips, raisins, ground nuts or, or, or.......wherever your imagination takes you.
• Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan.
• Bake at 350°F/180°C for about 45-60 minutes.
• Don't forget to check out my brother Siegfried, he is in charge of breads!

HERMANN - THE BIRTH (STARTER)

Steps:

• Warning! Never use metal!
• Mix flour, sugar and dry yeast in a plastic or glass bowl with a wooden spoon. Stir in the water and keep stirring until the batter is smooth.
• Cover bowl tightly and let rest at room temperature for 2 days stirring once a day.
• Set into refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Remove from fridge and proceed as if Hermann was gifted to you.
• For further instructions see my HERMANN - The Feeding and Care 1. Day.