Bread of distinction

I am a very lucky girl. Not only do I live within 2 minutes walk of the awesome bakery Stones, but today they gave me some starter for sourdough bread. For free. Because they're nice like that.

And, it's not just any starter either, as theirs was originally given to them in 1983, by none other than the peeps of Moro. I figure that means that my new starter (or Mother, if you're rather) has aristocratic heritage. I will continue to feed it using this recipe from St John. Will post details of first loaf in a few days...

Small problemo...

In announcing my boycott following a recent price hike on sourdough bread I was perhaps a little hasty... have just looked at what's required to make one loaf of bread, and it sounds like it needs an awful lot of babysitting and attention. Fine in the school holidays, but perhaps not too practical for your morning toast... darn it. Still, it has also been pointed out that there is a potential gap in the market for some healthy competition ;)

Still, day 2 of the Mother and all appears to be ok - it looks suitably disgusting and I'm guessing by the bubbles that fermentation has begun!

On another homemade enterprise note - elderflower season starts soon - better order some citric acid.