RESIDENT RECIPE
ritual. Feeding Howie by mixing equal parts of flour and water, reminds me to slow down and appreciate the process.
TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR OWN SOURDOUGH JOURNEY 1. Commit to Your Starter: Begin with equal parts water and flour. Stir it daily and feed it regularly until it’s bubbly and active. It may take 5-7 days for your starter to come alive. Patience is key. 2. Name Your Starter: Whether it’s “Howerdough” or “Flourence,” naming your starter makes it fun. It also motivates you to keep it alive, much like you’d care for a houseplant or pet. 3. Learn the Art of Timing: Sourdough baking isn’t about instant gratification. The full process takes 24-48 hours. Plan accordingly and embrace the wait. 4. Experiment with Recipes: Once your starter is active, try different recipes. From classic sourdough loaves to loaves with inclusions and even sourdough bagels and Ciabatta rolls, each bake will teach you something new. 5. Don’t Fear Mistakes: Sourdough is forgiving. A less-than- perfect loaf is still delicious and a stepping stone toward mastery. THE THERAPEUTIC NATURE OF SOURDOUGH There’s something meditative about the sourdough process. Mixing the dough, stretching and folding it, and watching it rise feels like a return to simpler times. For me, working with Howie has been a stress reliever and a way to focus my energy on something tangible and rewarding. My sourdough journey wasn’t just about creating delicious bread. I was drawn to the health benefits as well. Sourdough is easier to digest because its long fermentation process breaks down gluten and releases nutrients. It’s also rich in natural probiotics, which promote a healthy gut. Switching to sourdough has been a positive change for my family’s overall well-being, and knowing I’m feeding them something wholesome makes the effort worthwhile. SHARING THE LOVE (OF BREAD) The first time I baked a loaf that came out just right, my family’s reaction made me realize how much joy something as simple as bread could bring. From that moment, I knew I wanted to share this experience, whether it was gifting a loaf or encouraging someone to start their own sourdough journey. Currently, I share my bread through a mix of Instagram and personal connections. Once a week, I post a link on my Instagram @ecapone4 for pre-orders, making it easy for anyone to request a loaf. For now, I deliver locally, ensuring the bread arrives fresh and ready to enjoy. For those who want to embark on this journey, I also created an ebook with detailed directions - Mastering Sourdough, A Step by Step Guide to Perfect Homemade Bread. If you’re nearby and would like to try one of my loaves or get access to my guide, feel free to reach out 732.859.8480. A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING If you’re considering starting your own sourdough journey, I encourage you to dive in. It’s a long, but rewarding process. And, of course, it’s an opportunity to welcome a quirky, floury companion like Howie into your life.
My sourdough journey KNEADED WITH LOVE
BY LIZ CAPONE
EMBARKING ON A SOURDOUGH JOURNEY is more than just learning to bake bread; it’s an experience that nourishes the soul, teaches patience, and brings a deep sense of fulfillment. My adventure began not just out of culinary curiosity but as a step toward better health. With health benefits such as a lower glycemic index, gut-friendly probiotics, and natural ingredients, I decided it was time to bring this ancient practice into my modern kitchen. Little did I know, my journey would involve more than just flour and water. It would also include a new kitchen companion: Howerdough, aka Howie, my sourdough starter. Naming your starter might sound silly at first, but it adds a layer of connection and fun to the process,
making it feel more like nurturing a pet than maintaining a baking ingredient.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STARTER: YOUR BREAD’S HEART AND SOUL The starter is the cornerstone of sourdough baking. It’s a living, bubbling mix of flour and water that serves as the natural leavening agent for your bread. Unlike commercial yeast, which is instant and predictable, a starter evolves over time, reflecting your care and the environment it lives in. Howie and I have been through a lot. At first, I was overwhelmed by the thought of “feeding” my starter regularly, but over time, the routine became a calming
14 February 2025
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