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The lesson of sourdough
Apr. 4th, 2020 06:48 pm The lesson of sourdough is patience.
Just wait. It will bubble. It will need some TLC in the form of discarding some of it. It may get stinky. Lovingly scoop out the liquid and crust. It was there because you waited a bit too long. Give it some flour and water and wait again.
Just wait. You'll be able to bake bread with it in a few days. I know you want bread now, but that's not how this works. Just wait. Slow down and breathe. Yeast will not be rushed.
Sleepless at 4am? The sourdough is ready to be used for biscuits. They'll be light and fluffy and delicious if you make sure to cut the butter in thoroughly. When they're done, you'll be tired again and can go back to bed. Just wait, and trust the starter, and take your comfort where you find it.
Today is a bread day? Feed the starter, and then wait three hours for it to bubble and dome and smell like home. Mix your dough, but not too much. Set it aside for half an hour or so. Wait for it. All in its own time, it will be ready to stretch and fold. So will you. You are rising to your own challenges, stretching to accommodate new realities. Just breathe, and wait, and live, like your starter, like your dough. Stretch it every hour or so. Set it in the warmth. Let the sunlight bless the tea towel covering your dough. Let it halo your face. Breathe, and wait.
Sourdough is embryonic comfort food. It needs simple ingredients, effort, and patience to turn it into bread, and biscuits, and cinnamon rolls, and food for the storm-tossed soul hanging on for dear life to whatever rope it can reach.
Have patience. This too shall pass. The dough will rise, the starter will bubble, it will feed your body and soul and loved ones, if you just wait.
Sourdough is embryonic comfort food. It needs simple ingredients, effort, and patience to turn it into bread, and biscuits, and cinnamon rolls, and food for the storm-tossed soul hanging on for dear life to whatever rope it can reach.
Have patience. This too shall pass. The dough will rise, the starter will bubble, it will feed your body and soul and loved ones, if you just wait.
