Kristi’s Notebook: Sourdough seduces Whidbey Islanders

‘Do you agree to love, cherish, honor and forever keep a jar of sourdough starter in the refrigerator?”

Annette Barca said, “I do.”

She’s had the same jar of starter in her refrigerator since 1974.

That has kept her husband, Bob Barca, happy for their 34 years of marriage. They live on Whidbey Island, at Hummingbird Hill Garden. He is a Washington State University master gardener.

The retired college chemistry instructor also teaches sourdough cooking. He recently took his starter mix to the Granite Falls Library.

“It was fabulous,” said children’s liaison Linnea Epstein. “Twenty-two people went home with their very own tangy sourdough starter.”

Bob and Annette Barca shared sourdough carrot cake and chocolate cake that was out of this world, Epstein said.

Barca tells students about setting up a sourdough pot and making sourdough breakfast treats including pancakes, waffles, quick breads, dinner rolls and desserts.

When Barca was growing up in San Pedro, Calif., his father was a fisherman.

A fisherman who loved sourdough pancakes.

“I was also crazy about pancakes,” said Bob Barca, 67. “I read you could send to Alaska for sourdough pancake recipes.”

He got his recipe in 1970 from the University of Alaska.

He shared his culinary interests with his wife.

“She helps me,” he said. “She makes an excellent pie crust.”

They don’t use commercial yeast in their baking. Barca said it takes away from the flavor of the sourdough, so they only use flour and water.

And never reheat sourdough bread in the microwave.

It gets ruined, he said.

The expert baker isn’t a one-note cook.

“My real passion is gardening,” he said. “And USC football.”

Annette Barca volunteers for the Red Cross and teaches classes. She also does seminars for teachers who are soon to retire.

Don’t call or e-mail the couple to get some of their starter. Barca recommends folks research the Internet about starting their own mix.

Here’s a good one: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6061648.

Bob Barca said in Alaska, there are starters that are more than 100 years old. Prospectors slept with their sourdough starter to keep it from freezing, he said.

“It’s quite interesting,” he said. “Amazing, really.”

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The new Crucible Brewing owners Johanna Watson-Andresen and Erik Andresen inside the south Everett brewery on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
South Everett brewery, set to close, finds lifeline in new owners

The husband and wife who bought Crucible Brewing went on some of their first dates there.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo council passes budget with deficit, hopes for new revenue

Proponents said safeguards were in place to make future changes. Detractors called it “irresponsible.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Lane Scott Phipps depicted with an AK-47 tattoo going down the side of his face. (Snohomish County Superior Court)
Man gets 28 years in Lynnwood kidnapping case

Prosecutors also alleged Lane Phipps shot at police officers, but a jury found him not guilty of first-degree assault charges.

The sun sets beyond the the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library as a person returns some books on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘A brutal hit’: Everett library cuts will lead to reduced hours, staffing

The cuts come as the city plans to reduce the library’s budget by 12% in 2025.

People take photos of the lights surrounding the the fountain at the the entrance to the Tulalip Resort & Casino on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Record Tulalip holiday display lights up the night

The largest light display in Washington is free of charge and open through Jan. 12.

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha (Snohomish County)
Snohomish County executive director takes new gig with Port of Seattle

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha joined the county in 2022. Her last day will be Jan. 2.

Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest Senior Associate ESL Instructor James Wilcox, right, works on speaking and writing with Anfal Zaroug, 32, who is accompanied by her daughter Celia Hassen, 6 months, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
What will Trump’s immigration policy mean for Snohomish County?

The president-elect has vowed to ramp up deportations and limit legal immigration.

People walk into the Everett Library off of Hoyt Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will new Everett library hours affect its programs?

This month, the two branches scaled back its hours in light of budget cuts stemming from a city deficit.

Glass recycling at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wine woes not yet affecting Snohomish County glass recycling

Ardagh Glass Packing permanently closed its Seattle factory, leaving recycling companies scrambling for a new glass buyer.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Snohomish County awards money to improve warming, cooling centers

The money for HVAC improvements will allow facilities to better serve as temporary shelters for weather-related events.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.