sourdough starter remediation

One of the lovelier things about my altogether lovely town is Dr. Louise Nelson's Sourdough Starter. You can read the story of the starter here, http://davidsonnews.net/foodanddining/2010/08/18/tale-of-a-davidson-sourdough/ but the long and short of it is that Louise had been tending that sourdough starter for 25 years before she passed away a few years ago. Twenty-five years. That takes some kind of fortitude. Louise was an econ professor at the College and was also in my Booklovers Book Club, so I got to know her briefly before she passed away in 2008. Because I enjoy cooking, I have been interested in acquiring some of her legendary Starter for several years now, but have generally been intimidated by yet one more thing for which I would be responsible. I mean, four kids AND a hungry Sourdough Starter?!

However, my friend Mary M brought us some yummy whole wheat/flax sourdough bread when SF was born and soon brought me the starter, as well. I made my first loaves a few weeks ago and they turned out well, if not a little ferment-y. Given my propensity towards slightly undercooked cookies and muffins, I assumed I undercooked it a bit. And then I had a little mishap feeding it last week (while trying to make breakfast, pack lunches, look for ballet shoes, nurse the baby, check Facebook, etc.), and so another friend, Brenda B brought me another batch yesterday.

I'm sort of in Sourdough Starter Remediation. I aim to do better this week.

I am honored to help carry on Dr. Nelson's 25-year tradition of maintaining the Starter and sharing extra loaves with friends.

So, if you see me on a Wednesday evening from now on, remind me to feed that hungry fifth kid, too . . .

Ciao a tutti.