Lievito Madre (also known as pasta madre) is a traditional Italian stiff sourdough starter. It is mild, gently sweet, and far less acidic than liquid sourdough starters, making it ideal for enriched doughs like brioche, soft sandwich loaves, rolls, and holiday breads.
Tag: food
How to Grow Sugar Pie Pumpkins in Texas
A few years back, I grew two little pumpkins that changed everything about how I look at fall. They weren’t just any pumpkins — they were Sugar Pie Pumpkins, the small, sweet kind that bakers love for their creamy texture and rich flavor. I planted them in our raised hugelkultur beds here in Texas, and five months later, I was turning those homegrown pumpkins into the best Brown Sugar Brandy Pumpkin Pie my family had ever tasted.
🍂 10 Cozy Kitchen Essentials for Fall Baking Season
The mornings have finally turned misty again — that gentle, sleepy fog that curls around the house like a shawl. Out back, our pecan trees are shedding their golden leaves one by one, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon, woodsmoke, and something sweet baking in the oven.Inside, the kitchen hums softly — a pot of tea steaming by the window, a pie crust cooling, and two little boys in their pajamas standing on stools, faces dusted in flour.
Hearty One Pot Picadillo Ranchero
Some recipes feel like they were made for sharing, and Picadillo Ranchero is one of them. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t just fill stomachs—it fills hearts. This Mexican-inspired classic is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make.
Lamb Rose Dumplings
Some meals leave your belly satisfied, others leave your heart full. This one did both. On March 8th—International Women’s Day—I was surprised with one of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright delicious gifts I’ve ever received: lamb rose dumplings. Dedulya and the boys worked side by side in the kitchen, carefully folding wonton wrappers into…
All Natural Lemon Chiffon Cake
When we were planning our daughter’s baby shower, I knew I wanted something extra special for the dessert table. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and I thought, what better way to celebrate than with a star-shaped cake glowing with sunshine-yellow lemon flavor?
How to Make Old-Fashioned Russian Pickled Cabbage
There’s something magical about cooking traditions that cross generations. In our family, one of the funniest and fondest memories is when little Neil helped Grandpa mix up a big batch of Russian pickled cabbage—sauerkraut, the old-world way.
Rustic Cherry Galette
When summer cherries find their way to the kitchen counter, there’s something deeply nostalgic about transforming them into a dessert that feels both rustic and celebratory. A galette—the French free-form cousin of pie—offers exactly that kind of charm: unpretentious, flavorful, and steeped in culinary history. Today, we’ll dive into the story behind tart cherries, explore…
Thin-Sliced Potatoes with Mushrooms
This skillet of thin-sliced potatoes with mushrooms is a warm, golden-brown connection to the past. We love it alongside hearty main courses, tucked into breakfast plates, or even eaten by itself with a dollop of sour cream. The smell of potatoes sizzling in oil, mushrooms soaking up the savory juices, and fresh dill stirred in…
Sourdough French Boule
In our house of five, there’s one smell that always gets everyone flocking to the kitchen — the warm, toasty, slightly tangy aroma of our homemade sourdough French boule fresh from the oven. It’s the kind of bread that makes you stand a little taller when you set it on the table. Golden brown with…
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