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Hedy Taranto
Thursday 21st of March 2024
I have my starter in the refrigerator. It's been in there and is active for over a month. I haven't made bread with it yet. When I'm ready to make the bread, do I use the starter straight from the jar in the fridge or do I have to warm it up before I mix it with the warm water?
Julie Menghini
Friday 22nd of March 2024
You'll need to take it out and feed it. What I do is take it from the refrigerator in the morning and discard all but 1 tablespoon and then feed it. 100gr water and 100gr flour. I use a 50/50 mix of all-purpose flour and wile wheat but you can use all AP. Then before bread do it again, removing all but 1 tablespoon.... look at the recipe to see how much you need. Then start mixing the next morning by doing the "float test". I think this post will help you out with my process: https://hostessatheart.com/sourdough-bread-recipe/.
Jan Burton
Monday 20th of November 2023
Hi! My name is Jan and I’m wanting to make the Peach Crisp dessert for a Christmas party we are attending, so I don’t want to mess it up. I have lots of frozen peaches from a farmers market this summer. What do I have to change as far as the liquids and the amount of peaches? The peaches will probably be softer after thawed. Thank you for your help.
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 21st of November 2023
Hi, Jan. When using frozen fruit, it's important to thaw them completely and dab extra juice from them so you don't get a lot of liquid and make your crisp soggy.I would also cut the juice to just a couple of tablespoons or eliminate the apple juice all together if your fruit is very juicy even after thawing. I hope you'll stop back and let me know how it goes.
Maxine Rickard
Saturday 26th of August 2023
I note in your overnight sourdough recipe that you handle the ‘Dutch oven’ with bare hands thereby relaying the message that it is cold and safe to handle. Generally, the Dutch oven is heated until very prior to adding the dough! Please could you confirm your method?
Julie Menghini
Monday 28th of August 2023
Only if using a cold Dutch oven. I use heavy duty oven mitts that cover my lower arms when using a hot dutch oven and do heat them when preheating the oven before adding the bread.
Jerri
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
Hello. I’m wanting to make you Carmel Apple pie in a cast iron skillet over an open fire, but how does the top of the pie brown.
Julie Menghini
Thursday 22nd of June 2023
I make it in the grill all the time and it browns. However, I'm able to use the lid to trap the heat like an oven. It will not brown if cooked over an open fire. It's like frying a pie. My husband has made desserts while camping but actually buries them with coals on the bottom and the top but I'm not knowledgeable to pass on that technique.
Martha Ognibene
Friday 9th of June 2023
Hi; I have made your Strawberry Rhubarb Streusel Bread and everyone loved it. I grow Rhubarb in yard 10 plants. I had a bakery but have closed it last year. Have you ever mixed Raspberries and Rhubarb? I have Raspberry Pie filling left and am thinking of trying it also with a few fresh Raspberries. What are your thoughts? Thanks
Julie Menghini
Friday 9th of June 2023
Thank you, Martha! I mix strawberries with rhubarb all the time but as you know it's a sturdier fruit. Raspberries would taste amazing but will break down so you may not see them as well as you do the strawberries. I've never mixed the two together so if you do, let me know how it comes out.