Everything Sourdough Popovers

Consider this post another chapter in my quest to identify ways to use excess sourdough starter when I do my weekly feeding. I've made cake, crackers, and biscuits so far. Unlike fresh starter, the pre-fed starter doesn't contribute much to rise. Its role instead is flavor.

This week I've made popovers. Who doesn't adore airy popovers? Along with the intriguing sourdough flavor these have, I've added something a little extra: everything topping--you know, the topping you find on bagels. You can find everything seasoning online at King Arthur Flour and locally at Trader Joe's. If you're not a fan, no worries. You can leave them naked and dunk into a gravy or sauce. You can make them a little sweet by topping them in cinnamon sugar. You could also top them with finely chopped toasted nuts with or without sugar. Be bold! Or not if you're a purist.

The other delightful aspect of these popovers is how ridiculously easy they are to make. You'll heat up milk until it's just warm--not hot! Then you'll combine the milk with eggs, the sourdough starter, and a little salt.

Whisk in the flour--but don't over mix. Even a few lumps are just fine. This batter is very forgiving. Notice I used the word batter, not dough. This mixture is very loose--like heavy cream. Don't worry. It'll work just fine.

It'll start baking in a very hot oven. After 15 minutes you'll turn down the heat and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes. Try as hard as you can to time this with when you want to serve the popovers because these guys demand being eaten right away.

If you are going to add a topping, melt butter in a wide little bowl just before the popovers come out of the oven. Then pull them out of the cups, dip, and roll.

And eat!


Everything Sourdough Popovers
Adapted from King Arthur Flour
(printable recipe)
Makes 6 popovers

Ingredients
8 ounces milk
3 large eggs
4 ounces sourdough starter, fed or discard
¾ teaspoon salt
4 ¼ ounces all-purpose flour
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
¼ cup everything topping (available from Trader Joe’s or King Arthur Flour)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450° and add muffin or popover pan.

Warm milk in the microwave or a small saucepan until it’s just warm to the touch.

Combine warm milk with eggs, sourdough starter, and salt. Gradually whisk in flour until it just comes together. Don’t worry about eliminating all lumps.
The batter will be loose, about the consistency of heavy cream.

Remove hot pan from the oven and spray it thoroughly with non-stick pan spray or brush generously with oil or melted unsalted butter.

Pour batter into the popover cups about ¾ of the way up. If you’re using a muffin tin, fill all the way to the top. Space the popovers around so each one is surrounded by empty cups to allow the popovers to expand while they bake.

Bake popovers for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven heat to 375° and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Remove the popovers from the oven. Dip the top into a small bowl of melted butter and roll in everything mixture. Serve immediately.

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