Sourdough pancakes and biscuits: Your secret weapons for holiday guests
Because we have always been big fans of San Francisco-style sourdough bread, our Alaskan tour guides made our mouths water every time they referred to the common nickname for a Klondike prospector, a sourdough.
Turns out, the prospectors traveled with a pot of sourdough strapped to their backs. Like many pioneers and cross-country travelers, they kept a small amount of yesterday's dough alive to start tomorrow's bread.
Maintaining a sourdough starter on the trail was said to be a true art. The accomplished cook ("cookie") was able to keep a batch replenished in any weather or trail condition.
Happy to learn about our history during our Alaska travels this summer, we were even happier to encounter sourdough on menus everywhere we traveled. The delicate tang of sourdough starter can influence everything from pancakes to pretzels, quick breads, pizza crust and biscuits.
