Speaking of fall comforts, I wanted to share something I’m quite proud of—my homemade sourdough sandwich bread! I’ve attached a picture of it fresh out of the oven. There’s just something so satisfying about baking, especially when it turns out this well. If you’d like the recipe, I’d be more than happy to share it—it’s simpler than you’d think!

In between my baking adventures, I’m also busy working on my next cozy mystery, and I can’t wait for you to dive into it. Stay tuned for updates!

Wishing you a wonderful, cozy fall filled with delicious bread and delightful mysteries.

Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipe
Makes: 2 Loaves | Prep Time: 13+ Hours | Cook Time: 40 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) active sourdough starter
• 2 ⅔ cups (600g) warm filtered water
• ¼ cup (85g) raw honey
• 7-8 cups (1050-1200g) bread flour (adjust as needed) I used 6 cups.
• 3 Tbsp (40g) olive oil
• 4 tsp (24g) Himalayan salt

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the active starter with the warm water and honey, stirring until well combined. Add the bread flour, olive oil, and salt, and stir until the dough starts to come together but remains somewhat loose and will seem a little too wet.
2. Flour your hands and continue kneading the dough until most of the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for about 45-60 minutes.
3. Perform a series of stretch-and-fold techniques to help develop the gluten. Once done, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and leave it at room temperature overnight for 8-10 hours. Do not refrigerate the dough.
4. The next morning, lightly flour your work surface and gently transfer the dough onto it to release any trapped air. Divide the dough in half for two loaves. Shape each half into a rectangle, then roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.
5. Grease your loaf pans with olive oil or butter. Shape the logs by tucking and pulling the dough slightly to create tension on the surface. Pinch the seams closed, then place the dough into the pans. Cover and let rise for 2-3 hours until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, bake the loaves for approximately 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush the tops with melted butter right after removing them from the oven, and allow the loaves to cool for 1-2 hours before slicing.

This bread pairs perfectly with butter, jam, or honey, and makes for excellent French toast. It also works great for sandwiches and stays fresh for 2-3 days if kept covered or stored in a bread bag.

Tip:
If your dough seems over-proofed, don’t worry! It can still rise beautifully after shaping and baking.

Need to make Sourdough starter?

Beginner Sourdough Starter Recipe
Yield: Approximately 1 cup (236g) | Method: 1 Bowl

Looking for an easy way to create a sourdough starter from scratch? This simple guide is perfect for beginners, no special equipment needed. Follow along as I walk you through each step, offering tips and tricks along the way. In no time, you’ll have your very own active starter to bake with!

Before you begin, here are a few important notes:

• The process usually takes about 7 days if your kitchen is warm enough (ideally between 70-75°F). However, it can take up to 2 weeks or more for the starter to become strong and active, so don’t worry if it takes longer!
• When you switch to all-purpose or bread flour around Day 3 or 4, you may notice that the starter’s growth slows down a bit. This is completely normal—just stay patient!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 large jar (about ¾ L or similar)
• 1 rubber band or piece of tape to mark the growth
• 1 (5 lb) bag of all-purpose or bread flour (I like King Arthur Flour or Trader Joe’s brand)
• ½ cup (60g) whole wheat flour
• Warm water (around 85°F)

Once your starter is active, you can use it to bake sourdough bread or other delicious recipes!

Instructions

Before you start: Establish a consistent feeding routine. Your starter will thrive on consistency! I find it helpful to feed my starter in the morning, right around the time I’m having my first cup of coffee.

Day 1:
Combine 60g (½ cup) of whole wheat flour and 60g (¼ cup) of warm water in your jar. Stir until the mixture is thick and pasty. Cover the jar loosely and leave it in a warm spot (around 70-75°F) for 24 hours.

Tip: A good place to keep your starter warm is inside your oven (turned off) with the light on for 1-2 hours. Be sure to monitor the temperature, as it can get warm quickly. You could also try using a proofing box or place it near a warm spot in your kitchen.

Day 2:
Check for bubbles! Even if you don’t see any, they might have appeared overnight while you were sleeping. No need to do anything today—just let the starter rest for another 24 hours.

Tip: Sometimes you’ll notice a dark liquid on top of the starter, called “hooch.” It smells a bit strong, but it’s perfectly normal. This just means your starter is hungry! If you see it, simply pour it off before your next feeding.

Day 3:
Time for your first discard! Remove half of the starter (around 60g) and discard it. Then, feed the remaining starter by adding 60g (½ cup) of all-purpose or bread flour and 60g (¼ cup) of water. Mix well, cover, and leave it in a warm spot for another 24 hours.

Day 4-7:
Repeat the same process each day: discard half of the starter and feed it with 60g of flour and 60g of water. Mix until smooth, cover, and let it rest in a warm spot for 24 hours. By Day 7, your starter should be bubbly and doubling in size within a few hours of feeding.

Day 8 and Beyond:
By now, your starter should be active and ready to use! It should be filled with bubbles, light, and airy with a texture similar to marshmallows. It should also have a pleasant, slightly tangy smell (and no more gym socks!).

If your starter isn’t ready yet, don’t worry! Keep feeding it daily until it becomes strong and active, which may take another week or more, depending on the temperature and other factors.

Once your starter is ready, you can transfer it to a clean jar and, in true sourdough tradition, give it a name! My starter’s name is Dillon, after my oldest boy.

Wondering if your starter is ready?
Try the float test: Take a teaspoon of your bubbly starter and drop it into a cup of water. If it floats, it’s ready to use!

Storage Options

• If you bake often: Keep your starter at room temperature and feed it once or twice a day to keep it active.
• If you bake occasionally: Store your starter in the fridge and feed it once a week. No need to bring it to room temperature before feeding—just add flour and water and pop it back into the fridge.

This should keep you well on your way to sourdough success! Happy baking!

The post Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipe appeared first on Lyssa Lund.

Quiche Lorraine

This one is excellent – Lyssa

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour Bake: 1-1/4 hours + cooling

YIELD: 8 servings.

Nestled in a buttery, rustic crust, this quiche is filled with sweet onions, bacon bits and cheese. It’s truly the best quiche Lorraine recipe.

Ingredients

• Dough for single-crust deep-dish pie
• 1 package (12 ounces) thick-sliced bacon strips, coarsely chopped
• 3 large sweet onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme (1/2 T dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1-1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

• 1. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 14-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-in. springform pan; press firmly against bottom and sides. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
• 2. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon in pan. Add onions to drippings; cook and stir over medium heat until caramelized, 20-25 minutes.
• 3. Stir in thyme, pepper and nutmeg; remove from the heat. Cool slightly. Stir in cheeses and reserved bacon; spoon into crust. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and cream until blended; pour over top. Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
• 4. Bake on a lower oven rack until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 75-85 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Loosen side from pan with a knife. Remove rim from pan.

Quiche Lorraine Tips

How can I enhance the flavor of my quiche Lorraine?

Splurge on good-quality cheese to get the best flavor. You’ll be amazed at how much better it will taste. Also, avoid using low-fat dairy products as these tend to have more water in them, which means they won’t produce the same creamy texture full-fat products give you. Have leftover Parmesan cheese to spare?

How can I save time while making this recipe?

To save time, make the crust early and place it in the springform pan to chill the night before serving. The more time you allow it to chill, the better. It will hold its shape more easily, adding more flaky, buttery goodness to every bite.

How do you freeze quiche?

Quiche is one of the best freezer breakfasts! If you have leftover quiche and want to save it for another day or you want to make it ahead of time and freeze it whole, simply let the baked quiche cool to room temperature. Then wrap in a double layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month. To use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator; reheat in a 350° oven until internal temperature reaches 160°.

How do you make a deep-dish pie crust?

To make a deep-dish pie crust, combine 1 to 1 & 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt; cut in 2/3 cup of cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3 to 6 tablespoons of ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or freeze for up to 6 months. (Psst! I recommend using a springform pan. It allows for more filling per slice than with a deep-dish pie plate.) If you like the more decorative crust you can use this deep dish tart pan like I did in this picture. Either way it is delicious!!

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 671 calories, 49g fat (27g saturated fat), 308mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.

The post Spring Showers are perfect for a Quiche appeared first on Lyssa Lund.