Broke my 3-year bread streak with a simple sourdough loaf yesterday

Honestly, I haven't baked a single loaf of bread in like 3 years. Got out of the habit after my starter died and I just never rebuilt one. Then last week I was at a farmers market in Asheville and this old guy was selling his sourdough. I bought one and it was so good it made me mad I stopped baking. So I went home, made a new starter from scratch, and yesterday I pulled out my first loaf. It came out dense in the middle but the crust was perfect. I used my grandmother's old enamel pan instead of a Dutch oven. I think the pan is why the bottom got a little dark but the top stayed soft. Anyone else have luck baking in enamelware instead of cast iron?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_emery16d ago

Have you noticed how sometimes the best stuff happens when you just let things sit and start over fresh instead of forcing it? That old timer probably didn't plan on inspiring anyone, but there you are back at it.

reese_nelson3d ago

@james_campbell12 that diner pie story got me thinking... sometimes you need a stranger to remind you what you're missing. That old timer at the market probably had no clue he'd kickstart someone's baking again. Funny how a simple sourdough loaf can do that.

james_campbell1216d ago

You ever notice how a random encounter can totally knock you off your path in the best way? I once stopped at a diner in nowhere Kansas because my car was overheating, and the waitress talked me into trying her pie. Turned out it was the best pie I ever had, and I spent the next three months learning to bake pies from scratch. I still don't know her name, but I think about that pie every time I roll out dough. Funny how life works like that sometimes.