Sourdough bread baking tips including benefits of fresh sourdough, Dutch ovens for baking sourdough bread, and more! Few kitchen traditions are as rewarding—or as delicious—as baking your own sourdough bread. What begins as a simple mix of flour, water, and salt evolves into a living, breathing sourdough culture that connects us to centuries of baking history. Sourdough baking is both an art and a science. And it’s gaining renewed popularity among home bakers who crave wholesome, flavorful bread made with time, care, and natural ingredients. A Brief History of Sourdough Sourdough is one of the oldest forms of leavened bread, dating back more than 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptians discovered that when flour and water were left out, wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria naturally fermented the dough. This produced bubbles in the dough and a pleasant tang in the baked bread. For thousands of years, sourdough was the only way to make bread rise. It wasn’t until the 19th century, … [Read more...] about Discover the Joys of Baking Fresh Sourdough Bread
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The Joys of Fall Gardening
The joys of fall gardening include planting bulbs, planting cool season vegetables, planting trees and shrubs, and getting the garden ready for the winter to come. That's because fall just happens to be a great time in the garden. Even novice gardeners know that spring is a wonderful time for planting. Spring is Mother Nature’s season for rebirth, as new leaves emerge and flowers bloom. In Spring, every garden center is filled with annuals and perennials for planting. And seeds are sown for millions of backyard vegetable gardens. But experienced gardeners know the joys of fall gardening. They know autumn is also a wonderful time for gardening. And especially for planting. The summer days have cooled down, and plants are growing roots to help them hunker down for the chilly winter weather. Mike Lizotte is an experienced gardener. He is the managing partner of American Meadows, one of the top gardening companies in the United States. Mike is also known as "the seed man," … [Read more...] about The Joys of Fall Gardening
