Have you ever made a sourdough starter? It thrives on weeks (even months, or years!) of feeding, resting, and growing. And what do you do when it starts getting out of control?

Don't you wish you could just save some for another time without all the maintenance? Clotilde at the blog Chocolate & Zucchini has a solution.

This idea hits the nail on the head for me. I've maintained a sourdough starter several times, but I haven't been able to keep it more than a month or two due to traveling, and, I admit, lack of commitment. Clotilde walks through how to capture your starter at its maximum growth peak, spread it thinly, and effectively dry it for later use. Genius!

She claims that once dried, the dehydrated starter flakes can be kept indefinitely in an air tight container. To rehydrate, simply soak in water for 10 minutes and feed as you would a young starter. As soon as it's bubbling and alive again, it's ready for use.

How do you maintain your sourdough starter?

• Read More: Dehydrating Your Sourdough Starter at Chocolate & Zucchini

Related: Recipe: Basic Sourdough Starter

(Images: Flickr user basykes licensed for use under Creative Commons)