It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half since I embarked on my sourdough journey. While “journey” might sound corny for bread-making, it truly describes the process. Sourdough isn’t just about flour, water, and salt; it’s about learning and evolving. The last 18 months have taught me patience and persistence, while deepening my appreciation for this timeless baking method. Here is where my journey began.
From Precision to Intuition
In the beginning, I followed every step meticulously measuring ingredients, sticking to rise times, and treating the process like a science experiment. Every failed loaf taught me something new, and over time, my results improved. My loaves became more consistent, the flavor richer, and I began to understand how everything worked together.
Now, I rely less on strict instructions and more on my senses—the feel of the dough, the smell of the starter, and visual cues during fermentation. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and make adjustments, when necessary, which has allowed me to streamline the process and achieve great results with less effort.
Streamlining the Process
One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that sourdough doesn’t need to be as time-consuming as it once seemed. I’ve sped up the process by using warmer proofing temperatures, timing my starter feedings for peak performance, and eliminating the pre-feeding of starter. This allows me to shorten the prep and fermentation time, and I have even prepped and baked a loaf the same day without sacrificing flavor or texture.
I’ve also become more relaxed in my approach—eyeballing measurements and experimenting with inclusions such as olives, herbs, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate chips to add variety without complicating things.
Same Great Bread, Less Effort
The best part is that even with these adjustments, my bread is still just as good—airy, well-structured, and full of flavor. The process has evolved into something more intuitive, almost like an art. The joy of baking and pulling a fresh loaf from the oven is just as satisfying, but now there’s an added sense of ease and confidence.
Looking Ahead
While I’m pleased with my progress, there’s always room to grow. I look forward to continuing to refine my process with shapes, sizes, and flavors.
For now, I’m happy with the balance I’ve struck—baking consistently delicious bread with less effort. If you’re just starting your sourdough journey, stick with it! The process may seem long, but the rewards are worth every loaf.
Happy baking!
I made a video of this method.
Here is my simplified recipe in a PDF.
This is my first loaf and my most recent loaf. I think I have gotten a hang of this sourdough thing. 😉😊
The gallery of photos shows an assortment of baking over the past eighteen months.
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