Sourdough discard recipes to beat the heat I just finished handmixing the dough for a large 2kg miche, and the readout on my thermometer kind of freaked me out a bit: 82°F final dough temp. Oh, my. I realize many people take a break from baking in the summer, but I can't help myself (and I have some great recipes coming soon!). For those taking a short break in July, this roundup is a collection of my fav discard recipes that avoid super-hot, lengthy bakes in the home oven. (If you're...

My July 4th baking list is here Kids' fireworks: check. Plans to watch as many World Cup games as possible: check. Baking agenda: check. For me the holiday comes down to two bakes. A focaccia, dimpled and swimming in good olive oil (see below), and a fruit galette for the group, whatever stone fruit looks best at the market (my peaches not quite ready yet!). Both are the kind of thing I can start today, finish tomorrow, and then set down and forget about while the oven does the work. Which is...

I Went to France for the Carbs I'm back from a longer-than-usual three-week trip to France: Paris, the Loire Valley, and the Dordogne. A family trip focused on food (of course), art and monuments, and hiking, split between city and country. The last time I was in France, I attended a week-long panettone and pastry class in the south with travel tacked on the end. French folks really know how to do it, don't they? Late morning rise with pastry and coffee, an easy, casual lunch with rest after,...