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kitchen hacks: SOURDOUGH
The early days of the pandemic sparked a exactly. Outside of the oven, the bread is still Be careful. Flour is a raw ingredient that
hobby that's stuck around for many: baking cooking. Wait until it is completely cool, or you can carry bacteria, so it’s best not to taste
sourdough bread. Thanks to videos, blogs, will stop the bake and have undercooked bits. raw dough. Always clean up ﬂ our-covered
and social media experts, getting started Do not rush the process. surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.
is easier than ever. If you're ready to try it Be precise. Baking is a science, so it is Making sourdough at home may seem
yourself, follow the tips below for guidance. important to be precise. Use a digital scale intimidating at ﬁ rst, but it becomes easier
Make your own starter. Sourdough starts instead of measuring cups if possible. Find a with the right tools, accurate measurements,
with a mix of ﬂ our, water, sugar, and natural recipe that lists ingredients by weight instead and a bit of patience. Reliable recipes and
yeast. This mixture, known as a starter, gives of volume. These recipes are usually more online resources can guide you through
the bread a unique ﬂ avor. A portion of it is accurate and lead to better results. each step. With practice, you can enjoy fresh,
used as the base for other starts for years. Fold, don’t knead. Instead of kneading, homemade bread and build the skills to
Instead of pleading for a popular starter, folding the dough gently helps create larger air experiment with your variations.
make your own. Try a trusted recipe or pockets and a lighter texture inside the bread.
experiment with making your own at home. Source:
Use the right tools. A Dutch oven will
Be patient. Creating a good starter can take up give your bread its familiar shape, provide https://www.177milkstreet.com/2021/07/when-to-

to 10 days, and your ﬁrst tries may not turn out ample room for it to rise, and create the ideal knead-when-to-fold-it-all-depends
perfectly. It may take dozens of tries to create a environment for a lovely crust to develop. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-
starter worthy of your palate. If a recipe calls for A prooﬁ ng basket, or banneton, is the best sourdough-bread-224367
resting the dough overnight or for the starter vessel for dough on the rise. Of course, tools
to ferment for a week, follow the instructions like a scale and a scraper will make prep easy.

p duce pick: FRESH FIGS

The teardrop-shaped ﬁ g comes from one of a great snacking choice for people who want
the ﬁ rst fruit trees to be cultivated. Today, to stay energized throughout the day. For a
it’s known for its versatility, pairing well with balanced snack or meal option, pair ﬁ gs with
both sweet and savory dishes. nuts, yogurt, or whole grains. The ﬁ g is low
in calories and naturally sweet, making it a
The ﬁ g originated in an area stretching from
Turkey to India. They are about the size of healthy alternative to processed snacks.
your thumb, ﬁ lled with hundreds of tiny Fresh ﬁ gs have a short shelf life, so they
seeds, and have an edible purple or green should be eaten soon after purchase. Gently
peel. Prized not only for its rich history but wash them and enjoy them plain. Figs also
also for its sweet, honey-like ﬂ avor and soft, pair beautifully with savory ingredients like
slightly chewy texture, the ﬁ g is often eaten prosciutto, goat cheese, or balsamic vinegar.
on its own, paired with cheese, or used in Whether enjoyed fresh, roasted, or added to a
salads, baked goods, or jams. variety of dishes, ﬁ gs bring a touch of natural

The ﬁg provides potassium, magnesium, copper, sweetness and plenty of health beneﬁ ts to
iron, vitamin B6, and calcium. The antioxidants your table.
in this fruit, such as polyphenols, help prevent Source:
cell damage and promote overall well-being.
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/08/05/
The ﬁ g is also an excellent source of ﬁ ber, are-ﬁ gs-good-for-you-get-the-whole-sweet-story
which aids digestion, maintains gut health, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ﬁ gs-
and regulates blood glucose levels. They’re beneﬁ ts#downsides

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