Sourdough – It’s a journey

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For anyone who is frugal, I’m sure that making things for yourself from scratch is high on your list. It is for me!!

I decided that after I retired, I would delve into the world of sourdough because it seemed VERY intimidating and time consuming. I’m glad I did it! I’m also glad I did it after I retired and had plenty of time. I know myself well enough to know that I would have thrown in the towel if I had tried it while still working and focused on other things.

I won’t get into the all the crazy info that is available about sourdough, but I will say that it has been a journey. Early loaves were either gummy or so hard you couldn’t bite into the bread. Some were so dry, you had to drink a gallon of water to get through half a sandwich. And some were VERY crumbly and wouldn’t hold together for much of a sandwich.

I’ve been making sourdough for almost a year now and my husband said the other day “These latest loaves are really good. I’m really glad you didn’t give up on this!”

Me too!!

One of the most frustrating parts of sourdough for me has been getting it cut in thin enough slices that I could actually eat it as sandwich bread.

I’ve used various bread knives, asked for a slicing set (knife included) for Christmas but returned it and have finally settled on what works for me!! Bread knives are a mixed bag for sure. They either work for a slice or two, or they completely squish the bread in order to even start the cut.

When I visited my parents earlier this year, my mom had asked me to make sourdough while I was there. I was happy to, but was even happier to discover the knife that makes sourdough slicing a joy!

A CutCo Bread Knife makes it so easy!!! My parents have used CutCo knives for years and look for them at garage sales or estate sales because they are such good quality and have a great warranty.

I used their knife while at their house. Then promptly found one (on Facebook marketplace for half of what is it on Amazon) and bought it!

I can now slice my bread into thin slices that make eating sandwiches with my homemade bread so much easier to eat!

Here is my method of slicing my sourdough that now works perfectly with this CutCo knife!

1. Cut your round loaf in half (see photo above).
2. Put cut side down on the cutting board and begin slicing to the desired width you want.
3. Cut second half the same way as step #2.

Viola, you have a sliced loaf of sourdough bread!

Since its just my husband and I eating this and it dries out in a day or two, I put 3/4 of the loaf in the freezer (already sliced) and take out a few slices as we need it. It thaws to the softness and crustiness of baking day (or the day after). Once I have it on the counter, I have it stored in a cotton bag that I have melted some beeswax on it help keep it fresh. (Experience showed that plastic isn’t a good way to store sourdough).

There you have it, scratch sandwich bread without squished, wonky sized slices of bread!