Cheers to me!
... and, of course, to Mrs. Binns.... my 'starter' ...
That's right ...I jumped onto the bandwagon.....you know the one. The sourdough wagon. Or as some call it ...the Natural Leaven crew..... either way, you must create your very own starter or leaven with which to raise your dough ...instead of using commercial yeast.
It's been happening for years, of course ... but, I've resisted. Until now.
Didn't really want to get into it I guess; couldn't see the lure..... what:: (hahhaha... yeh, right, a fishing metaphor) ... I meant.... the 'allure'... didn't want to bother with the feeding and baby-ing of growing a starter...etc...
But.... now that I've done it... and, baked my first loaf of bread with it .... and it rose!! may I just say .. wow!! It was kinda thrilling.
First of all ...the sense of accomplishment; yes, I know, it's just a little thing really (to most people) in the overall scheme of things... but.....we should celebrate even small victories..(H. Jackson Brown Jr). and...it took a full 14 days of feeding and coaxing and finding a warmer place to keep her (thanks to Nina for figuring out she was too cold and thinking perhaps we should knit her a sweater) .... ....but, then... she finally did as hoped for, and almost expected ... she became a "Starter" .... and, then... using her in a recipe and fingers crossed for the two days necessary to produce a loaf ... baking it and waiting the full 6 to 8 hours before slicing ..... yes, I did wait but it was difficult.
My biggest cheerleader, Mister BumbleVee .. picked it up at least twice during the afternoon and marvelled at the aroma. He mentioned that it smelled even better than 'store bought' and couldn't wait for us to slice it.
We had our first slice buttered with supper ..but honestly, ate only bread for the first few minutes ... then, half way through... sliced another ... and mmmm'd and ahhhh'd some more.
It is the simplest of sourdough breads. But, it tastes amazing. Has a lovely chewy interior, a light crispy crackly crust that is difficult to explain ... and, the bottom is quite leathery ...
All in all.... I declare it a huge success. And, it is just the beginning of new bread adventures ...
Mrs. Binns will grow stronger and I will become more proficient in various aspects of this particular bread baking technique.... ... lots of unique bakes and interesting variations to try now....
Can you believe I just saw one for Lemon and White Chocolate Sourdough...I kid you not! See? ... right up the aisle of a baker....
Cheers to me!
... and, of course, to Mrs. Binns.... my 'starter' ...
That's right ...I jumped onto the bandwagon.....you know the one. The sourdough wagon. Or as some call it ...the Natural Leaven crew..... either way, you must create your very own starter or leaven with which to raise your dough ...instead of using commercial yeast.
It's been happening for years, of course ... but, I've resisted. Until now.
Didn't really want to get into it I guess; couldn't see the lure..... what:: (hahhaha... yeh, right, a fishing metaphor) ... I meant.... the 'allure'... didn't want to bother with the feeding and baby-ing of growing a starter...etc...
But.... now that I've done it... and, baked my first loaf of bread with it .... and it rose!! may I just say .. wow!! It was kinda thrilling.
First of all ...the sense of accomplishment; yes, I know, it's just a little thing really (to most people) in the overall scheme of things... but.....we should celebrate even small victories..(H. Jackson Brown Jr). and...it took a full 14 days of feeding and coaxing and finding a warmer place to keep her (thanks to Nina for figuring out she was too cold and thinking perhaps we should knit her a sweater) .... ....but, then... she finally did as hoped for, and almost expected ... she became a "Starter" .... and, then... using her in a recipe and fingers crossed for the two days necessary to produce a loaf ... baking it and waiting the full 6 to 8 hours before slicing ..... yes, I did wait but it was difficult.
My biggest cheerleader, Mister BumbleVee .. picked it up at least twice during the afternoon and marvelled at the aroma. He mentioned that it smelled even better than 'store bought' and couldn't wait for us to slice it.
We had our first slice buttered with supper ..but honestly, ate only bread for the first few minutes ... then, half way through... sliced another ... and mmmm'd and ahhhh'd some more.
It is the simplest of sourdough breads. But, it tastes amazing. Has a lovely chewy interior, a light crispy crackly crust that is difficult to explain ... and, the bottom is quite leathery ...
All in all.... I declare it a huge success. And, it is just the beginning of new bread adventures ...
Mrs. Binns will grow stronger and I will become more proficient in various aspects of this particular bread baking technique.... ... lots of unique bakes and interesting variations to try now....
Can you believe I just saw one for Lemon and White Chocolate Sourdough...I kid you not! See? ... right up the aisle of a baker....