My Sourdough Adventures!

One of my favorite recent food hobbies that I started is sourdough. 

I don't really like how the pinholes turned out on this one - also my score wasn't deep enough which is why it burst through my design during the oven spring!

When I first started out (about a year ago), I was overwhelmed by the amount of complicated and overly-scientific methods and processes on the internet. I was intimidated until I finally watched Brian Lagerstrom's video, which is very beginner-friendly. This video eventually helped me make my first successful loaf ever!

I've since adapted and tweaked the method for my own purposes, and the following post is my current routine! The method is my adaptation of Brian's instructions based on my schedule and my baking experience. 

The rubber band indicates the level that it has risen from!! This is a very active starter, ready to bake with :)

My Full Sourdough Process: 

Note about feeding: I usually do not feed my starter daily. I keep my starter on the counter, and when I'm ready to bake, if it's been awhile (a week or more), I will feed it once 24hrs before baking, and again 8hrs before baking, at that point it's usually good to go. If I use it regularly enough, I only need to feed it once, 8hrs before baking. This may not work for everyone though and depends on your location and climate. I usually keep any discard in a mason jar in my fridge which I use to make discard recipes!

Start with a active and bubbly starter that has at least doubled -

1. Mixing bowl: 320g of 92F water (microwave for 20 seconds), 200g starter, 450g flour (I use AP), and 12g salt. Stir until combined and shaggy. 
2. Cover, place in oven with light on for 30 min. 
3. Stretch and fold 4 sides and 4 corners. 
4. Cover, place in oven for 30 min. 
5. Stretch and fold 4 sides and 4 corners (again). 
6. Before placing back in oven, turn oven on 170F and let it preheat for 2 minutes only (to warm oven slightly). 
7. Cover, place in warmed oven for 2 hrs. 
8. Prep proofing basket, dough, and surface with sprinkling flour. Turn dough onto surface. 
9. Grab bottom, pull fold to top of ball. Grab sides, stretch to 8”-10”, fold one on top of the other. Grab top, pull to bottom. 
10. Fold in 4 corners. Tuck in a few more times wherever it points out the sides. 
11. Place in proofing basket, seam side UP. 
12. Cover and let rise for 90 min. 
13. Preheat Dutch oven in 500F oven for 30-45 min. 
14. Check dough, should slowly spring back when poked. (If not, give it more time). 
15. On parchment paper, sprinkle masa herina or cornmeal if desired. Turn dough onto paper, seam side DOWN. 
16. Score. If desired, spritz with water (will help the crust steam and create crusty blisters!)
17. Place loaf with paper into preheated Dutch Oven. You can put the Dutch oven on a cookie sheet in the oven to prevent a burned bottom. Lid on, place in oven, turn down to 485F, bake for 18 min. Dough will spring upwards during this time. You can check the loaf if desired.
18. Place back in oven, turn down to 465F, bake for another 25 min. Crust should be golden and crusty. 

This loaf has probably been my favorite yet - visually speaking!

This method has been very successful for me. Apparently, the method changes depending on the type of climate (and I think elevation) you're living in. I am in the midwest and things can get very warm and humid in the Summer, and very cold in the Winter, so you have an idea of what my location is like in which this method works. 

To wrap up, here are a few loaves that I've made - 

This one had a really high oven spring that I loved! 

Recently, I just started experimenting with inclusions. That is, using the same base process/method above, but modifying it to incorporate various flavors and toppings/add - ins! 

You can't quite tell in this photo, but this crumb shot is a rosemary loaf! I added rosemary and olive oil and it turned out so delicious.

The munched - looking spot on the left is where I tore some off to give to my toddler XD

The most recent inclusion I did was with rye! I made a rye sourdough loaf by swapping some of the all purpose flour with whole grain dark rye flour, and added caraway seeds, molasses, and cocoa powder. I made this one yesterday and plan to use it in the next few days for reuben sandwhiches!

Next I want to try a cheddar loaf. I am excited to continue experimenting! 

Have you ever tried making sourdough? What are your thoughts on my process? 

Until next time :)

- Amaris ☆ //

Post #100

 First of all, allow me to apologize for my negligence this Summer. So much has happened in my life (mostly good, don't worry...) in the past couple of months, and I've been learning a lot with many experiences as well as growing in the Lord. That's all good..... except that I've ignored this poor Blog for.... *checks last post* two months. :(
For that, I am sorry! I have heaps of posts in mind for the future, so don't worry; I'm not planning on 'giving up the blogging world' anytime soon.
Hopefully, this post (which I wrote a while ago but was too distracted with life to post it  -_- ) will propel me into posting all the posts I have in mind for you. With that, here is my special post for... you guessed it, POST #100 on The Storybook Journal!!!!

_____________________________________________________

The Blog: Yoo hoo... Amar-iss.

Me: ...

The Blog: HEY. YOU. OVER HERE.

Me: What? YOU again? *hides under covers*

The Blog: That's right, ME. Get over here.

Me: What's the problem?

The Blog: I never said there was a PROBLEM *scoff*. Just listen. Ok. Do you know what today is? Does your tiny little brain even understand the importance of this post?

Me: Uhhh...

The Blog: Come on, now...

Me: Hm... I KNOW! Today is a perfect day for you to leave me alone. BYE.

The Blog: HEY. COME BACK.

Me: Fine. But WHAT?

The Blog: Today marks something very special for your blog (that you OBVIOUSLY care so much about), The Storybook Journal!

Me: What? It's not the blogiversary... that's in September.. it's not my birthday, it's... OH WAIT.

IT'S THE HUNDREDTH POST!!!!!

The Blog: THAT'S RIGHT!!! YOU MADE IT TO POST #100!!! One zero zero!!

Me: Yippee! That's so cool- wait. So what are YOU DOING here?

The Blog: I'm here to interview you. On your blog. Me. I'm here to ask you questions.

Me: .... but why.

The Blog: OH WILL YOU COOPERATE? People LIKE interviews, ok? So sit tight, and I'm going to ask you stuff.

Me: Why do people like interviews, anyways?

The Blog: No idea. But here we go, you ready?

Me: Ok.

                                        ____________________________________________

The Blog: So what first inspired you to create a blog?

Me: (Is this thing on?) Ahem. Well, it actually started with my best friend. Yes, it isn't widely known, but my best friend is the first one who led the way to me wanting a blog.


The Blog: And how did it happen?

Me: My best friend told me about a blog called The Story Girl (some of you old-timers might remember Hayden Wand's old blog) a couple of years ago. At the time, I didn't even know what a blog was. But anyways,  I subscribed to The Story Girl's email list. As time went on, I discovered more blogs that I loved. Namely, Coffee, Classics, and Craziness, Wonderland Creek, and Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens (now called Ramblings of a Redhead Girl), all of which I still follow and love to read.
I decided "Hey, I could probably do that too!" and I dove right in.


The Blog: How do you get ideas on what to write about?

Me: To be honest, most of them come from my over-active brain (I have trouble sleeping) at night. I enjoy paying attention to things I like or admire, then I toss around ideas of how I can make The Thing into a post. Reading other blogs also helps spark my imagination for blogging too.


The Blog: How did you come up with my name, The Storybook Journal?

Me: I was really into fairy tale vibes at the time. I played around with several options; one being The Homemaker's Journal, but I decided against that one because it made me sound like a housewife, plus there was already a blog on the internet by that name.
I thought the word 'storybook' sounded really whimsical and pretty, and then 'journal' sounded good with that, so The Storybook Journal came to be.
I still think the name is pretty epic. *pats self on back*


The Blog: I see. I must admit... *hem*... it is, in fact, epic. Do you think you will ever switch over to Wordpress like other bloggers sometime do?

Me: When I first started my blog, I actually began a profile with both Wordpress and Blogger. I tweaked with both of them until I decided that I preferred the Blogger system, and the rest is history. To be honest, I still think Wordpress is kind of hard to navigate, and I don't really see myself switching, but who can tell? I still might. :)
But as of yet, there are no plans to that effect.


The Blog: Last question, and be HONEST. How many blog drafts do you have?

Me: Welllll.


The Blog: I said be honest. How many?
 
Me: Ok, fine. Right now, there are 136 blog drafts in my post section.
Whenever I get even the smallest idea for a post, I write it in a draft right away.
That way, I can come back any time and either continue my thought into an eventual published post, or trash it because I ended up seeing it as a nutty idea that no one would enjoy.
So basically, a lot of those drafts are just little notes and snippets of what might eventually be a post. It's a system that works pretty good for me.


The Blog: There, see? We're done. Was that so bad?

Me: No, I guess not. Do you think the peeps will like this interview post?


The Blog: I don't see why not.

Me: Well that's good.


The Blog: After all, I'm in this one.

Me:Oh, whatever!! GoodBYE! *walks away*

______________________________________

The Blog: Hey, wait!

Me: What?

The Blog: You aren't FINISHED.

Me: Umm... yes I am. You said the interview was OVER, so I'm FINISHED.

The Blog: Actually, you're not. You forgot to tell them the super special magical surprise. 

Me: ..... what.......

The Blog: For Pete's sake! Did you seriously forget the giveaway???

Me: Oh, THAT. I DID forget it!!!

The Blog: Indeed, you did! Allow me. *Ahem*. Ladies, and gentlemen (prob. mostly ladies). Stay tuned for the next post, in which we will be announcing a Summer Giveaway, which ANYONE can have a chance to win! 

Me: Yes! So stay tuned... more information coming up on that soon!!!

The Blog: NOW you can go.

Me: Ok. Bye everyone!

The Blog: Bye!!

___________________________________

-Amaris
(+ Special appearance on the blog: The Blog)