Sourdough Woes

Dear Edda,

My son-in-law gave me a recipe for sourdough bread for my birthday, along with some starter. He insists that baking is the COVID thing to do. I made my first loaf, and it weighed about five pounds and sagged in the middle. He ZOOM called me and walked me through the next one. It turned out better, but I had to buy a scale, and a proofing basket, and a special knife first. Now he’s sending me recipes for what to do with leftover starter, different types of flour to use, etc.

Honestly, I don’t really like making sourdough bread, and I live alone, so I can’t really eat that much of it either. I wanted to call it quits, but my daughter insists that he’s trying to deepen our relationship by finding a common hobby. I appreciate that, but my freezer is getting full of bread and my neighbors hide when they see me coming. What ever happened to going fishing?

Also, do you want some bread?

Signed,
Dad

Dear Dad,

Thank you for the offer. My freezer is a little full too. The good news is that sourdough bread baking is quickly passing out of trend. I saw it on a TV commercial. Yes, there are some staunch defenders of the practice, and they will be the ones to proudly carry on the traditions started in the Great Pandemic of 2020. But the rest of us can cry Uncle and get back to online workout programs where we belong.

Tell your son-in-law how much you have enjoyed learning this new skill and offer to make a loaf for your next father-in-law/son-in-law camping trip.

Edda

Edda is not a medical professional but a local lady who loves to give out advice, even when it’s not asked of her. Submit your question to ed@edhat.com for Edda to answer.