When I was in kindergarten, I stole my first bite of communion bread. I didn't understand what the meal meant, but I craved it deeply. Twenty years later, I can't say I understand it any more, but I'm prepared to spend my whole life giving into the cravings that began at five years old.
Read MoreI like to tell people that gluten is like a toddler. It will behave with enough rest and when it thinks an idea is its own. Shaping has to occur in stages in order to build the strength and tension necessary to form a nice loaf. As I shape, I am grateful for the patience of all those who have formed me. Who allow me to slowly shift into the directions that I need to go.
Read MoreWhat do Jesus' parables on yeast have to do with our starter and with our spiritual lives? Before we can put our sourdough starter to use, we must learn how to care for it so that it remains strong and healthy. Similarly, the spiritual disciplines foster a healthy environment for us individually and in community.
Read MoreOn this third day of Lent, we don't yet see many signs of life from our sourdough starter. But we continue to feed it in faith that the yeasts are slowly working their way through. The process of preparing our starter and our workspace for baking bread is called mise en place. The Christian practice of confession is a spiritual form of mise en place, acknowledging our own inabilities so that God can restore us and transform us, bring us back to life to love and serve and feed the world.
Read MoreThis Lent, explore the Gospel story woven through the process of bread making. Over the course of seven weeks, you will build a starter, learn to bake sourdough, enjoy some tasty bread for yourself, and give several loaves away to friends and neighbors.
Read MoreThe rhythmic motions of making bread-the necessity of feeling and smelling the dough's needs-make it a valuable form of meditation or prayer. This recipe for pumpkin sourdough developed through my own use of bread making as a spiritual discipline. A tender blend of warm spices and tangy levain, this loaf is perfect for sweet or savory applications.
Read MoreSweet Reads is the section of the blog where I compose book reviews of the variety of books at the intersection of food, faith, and culture. My goal is that this section serves as a resource for students or curious readers in need of a compilation of books on the topic. In ut of the House of Bread, author Preston Yancey uses the process of bread making to acquaint readers with the spiritual disciplines.
Read MoreIt started with cupcakes, continues with bread. I’m waiting to see where else it might head.
For those who have witnessed any piece of my journey over the past 6 years, it might look a bit haphazard.
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