Sourdough instead of buttermilk

Buttermilk adds a lot of flavor to things like cornbread and pancakes. It also adds the acid needed to react with the baking soda in the recipe. You get a fluffier pancake or a loftier cornbread.

What do you do if you don't have buttermilk on hand, though? You guessed it-- a tablespoon of vinegar is a common solution, or a little lemon juice will work. However, there is an even simpler, tastier solution that may eliminate that desire for buttermilk altogether. Sourdough.

Sourdough is one of the oldest methods of leavening there is. Unfortunately, it seems to intimidate a lot of people. Honestly, if it were so hard to use, it would have disappeared in baking a long time ago.

Next time you're making that special batch of pancakes, substitute the buttermilk in the recipe with sourdough. The only change in the routine is to make sure you have fed your starter the night before, and that you have enough to use for the substitution. There are several methods of making sourdough pancakes, most of which include making the batter the night before. But if you have at least a cup of starter, you don't really need to do that.

Embellishments

There is something very satisfying about baking with whole grains. Not only is it cheaper to make your own bread and cereal, but can be a creative and artistic outlet as well.

When I began baking bread on a regular basis, I decided that I wanted it to be beautiful as well as practical. Embellishments are so simple, and once you have a favorite recipe that works for you, the sky's the limit.

I never really liked rectangle loaf pans, mostly because I don't like cleaning them. I use them occasionally, but I usually prefer to use a sheet cake pan and bake several loaves at a time. I do have a baking stone and a peel, and I use that for pizza and special loaves. But for sandwich breads, I bake in bulk.

For a really shiny, soft crust, I use an egg wash. Dip a basting brush into a beaten egg and brush it all over the top of a loaf just before you put it into the oven. There is no need to dilute the egg or separate the yolk. If you like, sprinkle sugar, seeds, or anything you like on top. If you are adding cheese, wait until the last 5-10 minutes of baking to sprinkle it on.

One of my favorite embellishments is a Dutch crunch topping. It gives a beautiful crackled finish, and adds a subtle flavor to your loaf. I prefer using it on a white bread recipe, though.

Another fun embellishment is to take a pair of kitchen scissors and cut patterns into the loaves just before you paint on the egg. The finished product is absolutely beautiful, and if sliced just right, makes professional-looking sandwiches.

Something to consider when you use your kitchen a lot is the tools in that kitchen. For me, this decides how much effort I put into whatever I'm doing. Honestly, if it's going to take forever to knead 4 loaves of bread, then I'm going to hop in the car and go grab a five dollar loaf somewhere. Seems like a waste, but my time is worth something, too.

My mom gave me the Bosch mixer that she used when I was a kid. This thing is a true workhorse, even after 20 + years. It has a 550 watt motor, which beats the best Kitchenaid by 75. The newest Bosch on the market can go 850. If you bake bread as often as I do, and in large amounts, Bosch is the way to go.

How it all began...

I grew up with whole grains and fresh foods. My mother made whole wheat bread often, and we always had a huge vegetable garden every year. We had close family friends that supplied us with raw milk from their dairy cows, and we often bought fresh eggs from local sellers.

Occasionally, my dad would take one of us hunting or fishing, and I have to admit that I did not appreciate that much. I decided that I am not a big fan of catfish, trout, or bluegill(the carp we fed to the cats). But we did have rabbit stew once, and roasted rabbit is actually not too bad.

Since then I have come to realize how much work my parents put into providing for our family this way. Although it was much easier to buy bread, Mom was very careful with her budget, and she decided that it was more practical(not to mention healthy) to bake, garden, and preserve with her resources. She passed this on to me, and now I can help my own family. For this, I am very grateful, especially when money is tight.