Sourdough intimidates a lot of people. I know, because I was one of those people!
If you're looking at those gorgeous artisan sourdough loaves and dying to make them, as I was just a few months ago, but think they're too difficult, take heart! They aren't as tough as it seems. Let me tell you about my journey with sourdough, and may it encourage you to try!
My journey started over a year ago- with someone giving me some starter. Within weeks, I had killed it. So, I tried to make one! And then I killed it. And if you're wondering how to know if your starter is dead or not, here's how: If it's moldy, or an odd color such as pink or orange, it's bad and you should toss it. Otherwise, it may not be super active, but it's still alive!
I went through several starters, each time lasting a little longer than the last. And what I discovered was, that once you obtain a good, healthy starter, take half of it and put it in the fridge, so that when you, as a newbie, inevitably kill it (it's okay, it happens to the best of us!) then you have a backup plan.
I saw all these beautiful scored, designed, artisan sourdough loaves and thought, "that's too hard for me. I need to start easy". So, I found an easy, no knead, no coil fold, no stretch and fold, "simple" sourdough loaf recipe. And when I tell you, I tried, I mean, I TRIED!! I tried, and eventually gave up. I just could not for the life of me, get a decent crumb, decent looking loaf. They were tough, they were terrible, and I was very discouraged.
When I finally picked it back up again, with another gifted starter, I made a bit better of loaves, but still not good. I was super excited to get this loaf one day (pictured above), it was the prettiest one yet, but it was tough and tasted terrible. I was so disgusted with it. In the meantime, of all of this though, I continued watching videos of ladies doing their stretch and folds and coil folds and coming out with these absolutely gorgeous loaves of bread. I thought surely there must be something to it. So, I found a "difficult" and "intimidating" recipe, from a friend I follow on Instagram, and decided to just go for it. So, I did, and it honestly wasn't as hard as I had imagined it to be.
And let me tell you my loaf came out BEAUTIFUL!! I was ecstatic! So, I tried again, and each time I did, I got a better, springier, softer loaf with a better open crumb. I was impressed to say the least. So, I've stuck with that recipe, and even added to it a bit to make it my own. And now I have beautiful loaves every single time!
My loaves now (pictured above).
So, the moral of the story is, to try the difficult or intimidating thing. You may find it's actually a lot easier than you had imagined. Also, on another note, if the recipe you're trying isn't working, don't be afraid to pivot and try another one. In all honesty, it may just be a bad recipe. And the last point is, try, try again! Nothing is ever achieved well on the first try. It takes practice and determination, more often than not.
I sure hope reading my sourdough journey will encourage you to continue, and don't give up, or to be brave enough to start in the first place.
On one final note, is that you don't have to do artisan sourdough loaves, in order to enjoy the benefits of sourdough. You can add your discard into plenty of various recipes. And you can make other breads and pastries from it too. I love to make English muffins with mine, and another favorite to use it for is gravy. It gives the gravy such a tangy, rich flavor. That's it until next time!
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