... Taking on Sourdough

I've seen the social media posts going around asking people if they have made it through 2020/2021 without; getting pregnant, getting a puppy or starting to keep sourdough. We had almost made it, but I'm a sucker for free things; especially food.

I have always loved the smell of bread baking. There's not much that can compare to that warm yet slightly tangy scent of a sourdough loaf being brought out of the oven. Naturally, when a neighbour offered me some of her starter I was excited. Not only that, but another neighbour was gifting a whole bag of flour! Yet, I had heard and seen a little bit about the sourdough lifestyle and I was a little hesitant to get started.

For whatever reason I've always been a little intimidated by bread making. Deciding to start my bread baking journey with a sourdough loaf made me feel like taking my first sea voyage an oceanic adventure. I was told that it is best to use a kitchen scale and be precise. This also made me leery as I gave away my kitchen scale a year prior as I didn't see myself having the time to use it. I did a lot of research to make sure I could sail these new waters I was about to embark on (with what seemed like a small rowboat with only one paddle).

I found the King Arthur Baking website the most helpful resource, in particular this video. This is basically what I do. The starter lives in our fridge through the week and every Monday (usually), I feed it. As creepy as it sounds, it seems to be working. Instead of composting/trashing the amount needed to be removed (called the "discard"), I make something yummy out of it. Sometimes I find recipes that just call for the discard, and other times I will feed the the discard before using it if a "fed" sourdough is requested for in the recipe. I have successfully made loaves, cinnamon buns, and pizza dough much to the delight of HubbyK.

What have I learned? First, I love my stand mixer more now than ever before. Second, I can bake anything with a prayer. What can I say? It must be a family thing. Being an incredible self-taught baker and cook, my mom always says a little prayer over her creations and God has increased her skill and gifting in this area immensely. If He cares to help us grow in the seemingly meaningless areas of our lives, how much more in the things that truly matter.

Although I had thought all I had was a row boat to cross the Pacific, it turned out to be more than enough. Whether it is God calming the seas, or giving my boat an upgrade, He provides again and again the means to grow and nurture that growth.

Want some sourdough starter? Feel free to message me and if I can get some to you, I'd be happy to spread the joy of sourdough.

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Philippians 1:6

"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"