Tartine Knockoff

I have now made a version of Chad Robertson’s Tartine bread twice. I say a version of because I still don’t actually have his book. I have requested it from the library, but the library is being very slow. Instead, I’m working off of this two page recipe that Robertson shared with Martha Stewart. Thank you, Martha!

Sour Dough: Michael Pollan's Whole-Wheat Country Loaf

I did a lot of cooking this past weekend. Over the two days, I made: Moroccan beef chili, couscous, roast chicken, scalloped root vegetables, braised red cabbage, chicken stock, eggless banana bread, and ginger bug (my latest science project, in which I try to catch wild yeast with ginger-sugar water, from which I intend to make ginger beer!).

Oh, and Michael Pollan’s Whole-Wheat Country Loaf. That’s right, people--my starter works! I successfully baked two loaves of whole wheat sourdough bread with it.

Anniversary Starter

Wednesday, October 2, 2013 marked 15 years since Nick and I kissed on our friend Jasmine’s back porch in Hyde Park, Chicago. We’ve been together ever since.

We had circled each other warily for nearly a year—dated, broke up, argued, kissed, avoided each other, hung out late and kissed again—and after a summer mostly apart, we were on an official date. Nick had declared his love and I had said I would go out with him. He was late to pick me up (he told me later that he almost didn’t come at all). We went to Jasmine’s party, but didn’t tell anyone we were on a date. We figured that it would probably end badly, again. On the way home, I threw up out of sheer nerves (I’d had about half of a drink). I guess I could tell that this was something big. Nick kissed me again, anyway. I know that doesn’t sound very romantic, but it truly was.

Anadama Bread

In which I explain the significance of Anadama bread, attempt, despite obstacles, to make it, and mostly succeed.