School lunches, sorted. Back from summer travel (more on this in a future newsletter), and it's time to get these kids back to school. The routine for me at this time of year is to bake a few loaves for their lunches—whether it's a white bread like pain de mie or more whole-grain options (read on!), it's just nice having fresh pan loaves cooling on the counter. Of course, the day they're baked, it seems like half the loaf is eaten posthaste, that's what I make two. But more than school...
10 days ago • 3 min read
Tomatoes, sourdough tarts, and pizza My tomato plants here are just starting to show the signs of ripeness and I'm poised to take advantage of every single one. Sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and endless tomato tarts—they all get used one way or another. It always feels like im waiting and waiting and waiting for the first one, then the tables turn, and I'm almost drowning in them. I mean, it's a good problem to have, no doubt. My hope is the recipes below give you some inspiration if you find...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Sourdough discard recipe roundup! This week, I was at it again, baking a few larger loaves in the kitchen. But gosh, the heat was unbearable; But! It meant my doughs were incredibly active, bubbly, and dare I say, nearly runaways on me. Honestly, I prefer baking in the summer heat to the cold of winter. It keeps you on your toes, and if you can keep your dough in check, you'll end up with a super voluminous loaf that has a fantastic texture. It's almost like the microbes in our starter know...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
What's on the menu for July 4th? We've had some reprieve from the intense heat here lately, thankfully. But that doesn't mean it doesn't still trip me up here in the kitchen: an overripe starter, a dough teetering on the edge of overproofing... All common occurrences here as I juggle with the heat. I don't usually slow down my baking here, though. I keep at it throughout the year, but my preferences usually shift away from large loaves, like a big beer miche, to smaller, more delicate breads....
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Summertime bagels, pizza, and more crackers! One of the things I love most about sourdough baking is its versatility. Not only do we get incredible flavor from the natural fermentation process in large, thick loaves, but it's also possible to apply that to other goodies, such as tortillas, bagels, and many more. Over the years, I've been sneaking my starter into so many things, from pie crusts to banana bread, to, well, everything for breakfast 🙂 This week, I returned to one of my favorites:...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
New Sourdough Crackers (and what I want for Father's Day) Hey there, baker! Easy... That's what I've been in the mood for this week, as we transition from kids-in-school to kids-at-home (and all the challenges that come with it). Thankfully, to help keep these kiddos snack cravings at bay, we've got a new recipe for sourdough seeded discard crackers up at the site. Easy they are. Delicious, too. Plus, they're fun to make with the kids—let them get their hands in some dough, roll it out with a...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Strawberry shortcake and cherry clafoutis! Last year was yet another attempt to get strawberries to grow in my garden. Due to the heat (and my unfortunate decision to place my garden beds in direct sunlight, as recommended by all the books), my plants struggled. Thankfully, I decided to stick an extra one in a shady spot right next to my house—this one is thriving. This year we finally have a bushel of strawberries, and I'll tell you, there's nothing like a home-grown strawberry. The problem...
2 months ago • 2 min read
The best weekend pancakes! This past week, I've been on a pancake bender. My kids are home for summer break, and that casual morning bowl of cereal doesn't seem to cut it. Their excuse: it's summer break, let's make it fun. (They're using this newly acquired justification for just about everything now, BTW.) But honestly, you don't have to strongarm me into making yet another batch of homemade pancakes—especially sourdough ones. I love them, and they're so incredibly easy. To change things...
3 months ago • 2 min read
My Memorial Day baking plan Hello Reader, This Memorial Day weekend usually marks that magical moment when we finally crawl out of hibernation and fire up the grill, and if you're anything like me, you're probably scrambling to get your garden situation sorted out too. My gardening revolves around not simply what I want to eat in the kitchen, but what will go well with all the bread I plan to bake this summer and early fall. I am a baker, after all 🙂 In this week's newsletter, I have a...
3 months ago • 3 min read