Hi, I'm Anita!
Welcome to Wild Thistle Kitchen, where I share approachable sourdough and sourdough discard recipes for home bakers.
I've been cooking and baking alongside my father and grandmother since childhood, and I've been developing recipes and sharing them online since 2013, when I launched my blog under its original name, Cook on a Whim.
In 2019, I fell in love with sourdough baking and haven't looked back. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion, and today I bring 7+ years of hands-on sourdough experience to help readers confidently bake sourdough bread at home.
Each year, millions of readers visit Wild Thistle Kitchen for trusted sourdough recipes, no-waste sourdough discard recipes, baking tutorials, and beginner-friendly tips (and hundreds of non-sourdough recipes too!).
As Featured In
Wild Thistle Kitchen has been featured by The Feed Feed, DCfud, The Fauquier Times-Democrat, The Georgetowner, Brookside Neighbors Magazine, and BeFunky.
I've also partnered with leading food and kitchen brands to develop recipes, photography, and food-focused content.
My Approach to Sourdough
I believe sourdough should be simple, enjoyable, and accessible.
You don't need fancy tools, expensive ingredients, or complicated techniques to make great sourdough bread. My goal is to help you build confidence in the kitchen and show you that anyone can successfully make and maintain a sourdough starter and bake a delicious loaf of Artisan Sourdough Bread.
Some of my most popular recipes include Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread and Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls, and my beginner-friendly guide to How to Make a Sourdough Starter has helped thousands of readers begin their sourdough journey.
A Little More About Me
I'm a Virginia girl at heart who finds inspiration in family traditions, rural living, and simple homemade food. Wild Thistle Kitchen was inspired by my love of rustic cooking, beautiful food photography, and the generations of family members who taught me that food is about connection and creating memories in the kitchen.
When I'm not testing recipes, you'll find me gardening, spending time with my family, and dreaming up new ways to use sourdough discard.
Quick Sourdough FAQs
Do I need special equipment to make sourdough? Nope! A few basic kitchen tools are helpful, but great sourdough doesn't require fancy equipment.
How often should I feed my sourdough starter? It depends on how often you bake. Frequent bakers can keep their starter at room temperature, while occasional bakers can store it in the refrigerator.
What is sourdough discard? Discard is simply unfed starter that can be used in recipes like sandwich bread, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, crackers, and more.
Can beginners really make sourdough? Absolutely! My goal is to make sourdough approachable, simple, and enjoyable for everyone.
Where should I start? Start with my beginner guides:
and you can always reach out to me with questions either through my contact form, the comment section on any of my recipes, by email: anita at wild thistle kitchen dot com, or through my community chat over on my free substack newsletter. I am always more than happy to help!
Thank you for being here and allowing me to be part of your sourdough journey.
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