Sunday’s used to be my least favorite of the weekend days. I’d spend the entirety of the day drowning in laundry as I reminded myself that Monday immediately follows, and with it comes the work week and early mornings and hustle and bustle of school. But as I’ve aged, it’s slowly morphed into my favorite day of the entire week. As usually happens – age and (dare I say) wisdom have reminded me to be more present and find graciousness in the now more than worrying about the future. Once I was able to settle into Sundays with an openness, I grew to appreciate them for their flexibility and calm.
Now I love Sunday’s because I’m always up earlier than the rest of the house. Gone are the days of crying babies and toddlers awake at 4:30 am. I am able to relax in the quiet and sip coffee without simultaneously braiding someones hair or yelling at a kid to hit cancel on the toaster before their bread catches fire. There are less sports events and get together’s and it feels like a gifted day. Sunday mornings are just me, the cats, a steaming cup of coffee, and Laura from Garden Answer.
This morning, however, Noelle was up early. Every morning I wake at 5:45 to measure out and give her epilepsy meds, and today she decided to snuggle in bed for an extra half hour but never really fell asleep. So, we sat together in the twinkle lights of the early morning and watched YouTube videos on how to add inclusions to sourdough. “I think you should add nuts to one of our dough’s, Mama!” she turned to me and said as the woman on the screen smooshed cranberries and walnuts into her loaves. “I’d eat one with nuts but not with those little black things you’re going to put in!” Eventually, my little olive hater heard rustling downstairs and wandered off to join her sister while I melted into my latest obsession. Sourdough.
Sunday’s have become my sourdough bake days. I consistently bake 4 loaves of bread each week to enjoy as a family throughout the week, and also gift to loved ones and friends. This morning I tried my hand, for the first time, at adding kalamata olives and fresh rosemary to a loaf for a friend who loves a sourdough olive bread she gets in Montreal (hence Noelle’s displeasure with ‘the little black things.’) The YouTube video I’d watched earlier proved useful, and though my olive loaf turned out a little flat, it smells and looks delicious. I look forward to practicing this skill in the weeks and months to come. I’m dying to make a fresh blueberry, lemon zest and cream cheese inclusion loaf. Stay tuned for that adventure.
Many people have asked what recipe I use for my weekly bread bakes. I’ve found this long fermented recipe from Aberle Home is delicious. I begin the process Thursday afternoons when I get home from work at 2:30 and (after autolyse, stretch and folds and bulk fermentation) I pop the dough in the fridge when I wake up around 5:30 Friday a.m. I don’t touch the dough again until I shape and bake on Sunday mornings. The only slight tweak I’ve made to the original recipe is to use entirely King Arthur Bread Flour rather than All Purpose. I find that the rise and texture are better, but that may be personal preference.
While I love this recipe and have learned -through trial and error- how to get a good loaf from it, I’m always up for trying new recipes. If you have a tried and tested long cold ferment recipe that you love, please share it in the comments below! I’d love to sample a new one!
The beauty of waking up early to bake is that all (4) loaves are baked and cooling just after 11 a.m. That means I begin Sunday with a relaxing morning of baking, fresh bread for dinner and the remainder of the day to do whatever. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
This a.m, while Carl and Liv were off to indoor soccer; Noelle and I joined my sister and her golden, Maddy, for a nice long walk around town. It’s nearly 50 degrees in February here in Vermont which is insane! The birds were chirping, we could smell smokers wafting yummy smells of Super Bowl treats all around town, and we even ended up taking our coats off by time we made it back home. Our boots and Maddy’s fur were muddy. This is officially what we Vermonters refer to as ‘false Spring.’ You know damn well some big nor’easter is headed our way soon.
Speaking of the Super Bowl; tonight we’re having homemade Cabot mac and cheese, various flavor chicken wings, bruschetta on toasted sourdough, and roasted broccoli. The truth of the matter is that I’m really just here for the good food, commercials and Usher concert. I don’t understand anything in football, but I sure as hell know a good snack and all the words to “Yeah!”
May your Super Bowl Sunday also be filled with calm, family and good food.
“Yeah!” (you know you sang that as Usher in your head)
– Amanda
4 Responses
Love it, Amanda!! Looking forward to reading along! 😊
Thanks, Sarah! <3
Love this Amanda so glad you are doing what you love you are so good with words . From a selfish point of view it brings me closer to you , reminds me of our great weekends . ❤
Love you! <3