Herman Starter

This is a recipe for the yeast starter affectionately called "Herman." It's kept in your fridge and fed every five days. I'll be entering more recipes for Herman as time permits, so come back and search every once in a while!

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Serves: 1
• Yields: 1 bowl of starter

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1  cup  lukewarm milk
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
•  1 tablespoon sugar

Directions

1. 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.
2. At this point, this is Herman's "First Day" in the ten-day cycle of Herman Life. He's ready for his first feeding.
3. 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).
4. In five days, you'll need to feed him again. (Day 5).
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.
6. 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!