To Sourdough or Not to Sourdough

That is the Question!!!

When my girl mentioned that she would like to change

the way she eats bread

and

that sourdough bread would be better for her,

I took it as a challenge!

I have been making "Tuesday" white bread almost weekly.

This started when my Tuesdays with Noa days began!

We baked bread each week.

When I began to explore the method of developing sourdough starter

I almost gave up - there is just SO much information and

SO many youtube videos to navigate through!

OK - starter is simply flour and water, left to ferment for about 7 days

till it gets bubbly and yeasty.

My first attempt - after 7 days it had done absolutely nothing and

never started bubbling!!!

I threw it out (a quart jar full) and doubted my ability to make this.

Finally, after more reading, I found a starter recipe that used

a wee bit of instant yeast to get it going - it worked - too well!!!

Thankfully, I was able to salvage enough of this starter

which has become the "mother" starter so far.

I named her Levina!

The farmer felt like someone had moved in with us ...

This mixture needs tending. 

Daily or weekly feeding.

Lots of clean jars.

A baking schedule.

eek!

There was one particular youtube video that helped give me

some confidence. 

1st attempt:

I used all purpose flour and the bread turned out pretty good.

January 11, 2020

I don't have all the equipment

recommended but I used

my craft exacto knife to slash

the bread.

(You would be surprised at how many

videos I watched in order to know how 

to do this).

2nd attempt:

I mixed some dark rye flour into some of the starter to get a new 

variety going - still haven't found a good name for this one.

Perhaps I'll name it Grapes (for sour grapes).

I also, stocked up with some bread flour which is supposed to be better.

It seemed to take forever to rise and the dough had sort of dried and formed a skin.

I baked it anyway and gave it to my daughter to try.

She said it was good and no lumps in the loaf which I was afraid had happened.

It sure did look pretty though ...

January 12, 2020

3rd attempt:

Disaster - I made the Rye version but forgot to add salt.

Then I forgot to preheat the dutch oven.

And, forgot to slash the top.

Needless to say, it did not taste very good nor did it look good!

We used it for french toast and left some outside for the birds.

Today, I made another Rye variety loaf and I think it's a success.

January 25, 2020

Unfortunately, my daughter has declared no bread at all for the time being.

This means less bread baking and lots of "feedings" to keep these starters alive.

I think I'm too impatient, quick bread this is not!

**Taste note update - strong sour flavour but nice "crumb".  Not sure I like the rye bread one.

In the meantime, in the beginning of this new decade, I've been

keeping busy with a bit of quilting.

I truly am in my happy place when in my messy sewing corner!

One Bear Claw Quilt done, another started (blue and white), and a mystery quilt on the go.

How has your January/New Year been going?

It's been a strange Winter so far in 2020 ... mostly quite mild.

However, we did have a cold snap last week with some beautiful lacy frost.

Till next time ..... recouping from a lingering cold, sewing to my hearts content, and contemplating whether to pursue sourdough or not to.