Sourdough?

     I began my bread baking venture back in October, and I have just had my first failure.  I made my starter for sourdough by making my seed culture.  After 5 days of discarding and feeding, my starter was nice and bubbly and had the right aroma.  When I went to proof it, I just could not get the bread to rise properly.  I know that it takes longer for it to rise than if I used regular yeast.  I know I could have used some instant yeast, but I really want to be able to do this without commercial yeast.  I baked the loaves anyway; I just wanted to see if they would have the right flavor profile.  One loaf was a plain sourdough loaf, and the other loaf was a blue cheese walnut sourdough.  As you could see by the picture, it just wasn't right.  The plain loaf had a better texture, but not where I want it to be.  Both loaves did have the sourdough flavor. I think I may have over kneaded the flavored loaf.  I have decided that I need to master a basic sourdough before I try flavoring again.  However, I am not dissuaded.  My mother used to say she was determined.  I, on the other hand, am proud to be just plain hard-headed stubborn. 
     I love to travel.  If I had lots of money I would be a wanderer.  (It's hard to do with 6 cats.)  Wayne and I have had been on some really wonderful trips.  My top three were Vermont for autumn color, the Alaskan cruises, and our drive down the California coast.  (By the way,  I do love Arizona.)  We had a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles.  The natural beauty is beyond reproach.  I adored hiking in Muir Woods.  It was in San Francisco that we discovered Boudin Bakery, and what the big deal is about San Francisco sourdough bread.  I know that even when I get the sourdough thing down, it won't have quite the same tang because of my local yeast.  Wayne and I will still order bread from Boudin Bakery from time to time (sourdough French toast - yum).  There are so many beautiful places along the coast, but we happened upon a restaurant just outside of Carmel.  Rocky Point is a wonderful little restaurant.  We stopped there for breakfast.  The French roast coffee was the first really good cup of coffee we had since we started our trip.  The food was delicious; the only thing upstaging it was the ocean view.  There is not a bad seat in the house.  No matter where you sit, you have a spectacular view to go with great food. (Wayne had asked me where did I want to dine for my fiftieth birthday, and I told him Rocky Point.  Didn't happen. It's kind of hard to go to San Francisco when you are in charge of a high school graduation on the same day.)   If the weather is good, the patio dining is the best.  Oh - whales - without the aid of binoculars you can see whales spouting in the ocean.  If I had known, I would have brought binoculars with me.  One of the other places that left a lasting impression was The Madonna Inn.  I did not know it existed, if I had we would have had to stay there.  There is tacky; there is wonderfully tacky, and then there is the Madonna Inn.  Be sure to check out the link to it.  The guests rooms are all themed.  The restaurant is PINK!  There bakery produces some beautiful cakes.  It is just a really fun place.   We enjoyed all the sights form San Francisco to Los Angeles.  It was a relaxing trip that we will always remember.
     Anyway back to sourdough bread.  This week I plan on doing a little more research on sourdough.  I'll read all I can find, and tackle sourdough again this week or next week.  Cross your fingers, your toes, and your buns (you know the hot cross type), and wish me luck for my next attempt.

 UPDATE!!! I baked sourdough again this week (March 29) and success! See the picture below.