Hi Donna! First, thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 Yes you can absolutely use sourdough starter or discard + yeast. Let me know how it turns out!

Hi Nadia, You can use a mixer, but this loaf only requires enough mixing to bring the dough together. It is a no knead formulation, so once all of the flour is incorporated, cover the bowl and let it proof per the baking timeline in the recipe. Happy baking!