Apple Fritters

This is a good use for starter that otherwise might get discarded.

Whatever you're going to cook this in (see below) have it hot before you mix the starter in. We're not using double-acting baking powder; the soda only has one chance to leaven the batter. For the same reason, start with cold ingredients and even cold starter if you can, because you want to delay the reaction between the starter and the soda until it's cooking.

The baking soda reacts with the acid produced by the sourdough's lactobacillus to both cut its tartness and provide leavening.

Sift or whisk together:

• ¼ c all purpose flour
• 2 tbl sugar or sweetener
• ⅛ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

Stir into this:

• 1 apple, skin on, pared & diced

Add:

• 2 tbl cold milk (or icewater)

Swiftly but thoroughly mix in:

• about ⅓ c starter

And immediately fry on a teflon pan or a well greased griddle or bake in a breakfast sandwich maker, medium heat, about 6 minutes on a side.

Serve with butter and syrup.