You’ll begin by creating your own unique starter using flour, water, and warmth to attract wild yeast which develops into a dynamic, living ingredient for bread baking (detailed instructions on how to keep your starter lively for many years are included). Once your starter blossoms, you can begin baking a variety of internationally inspired breads.

Fermented breads are remarkable for both their digestibility and health-giving properties. With recipes for twelve high-fiber, whole-grain sourdough breads, you’ll find another two dozen recipes to accompany them. Slather a buttermilk biscuit with homemade Cr me Fra che Butter with Sea Salt or enjoy the naan you’ve just baked with Indian Spinach with Fried Paneer. Use your sourdough starter in the morning to whip up yogurt flapjacks served with Lemon Blackberry Sauce, or take an orange, pecan, and fig loaf and make Figgy French Toast.

Whether a rustic boule or a stack of tortillas, all you need is basic kitchen equipment and a desire to bake bread the way it was originally done–using time and lively ingredients to create flavor.