Pamela Musoke (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer
Sourdough.
Keeping its starter alive; it’s my new obsession.
Something I can obsess about, fuss over, until it starts to feel “heavy.”
It’s supposed to be my life’s escape, my way of slowing down and taking a breath.
One I’ve been holding for a long while now.
There are so many rules and opinions about keeping it alive, it’s hard to choose or follow.
Suddenly, my peace of mind splintered, and I’m back to wondering how life has become hard.
See what I mean? Heavy, right?!
But sourdough has some sage advice. Do what feels right and keeps me happy.
And I agree with Sourdough.
Keep it simple!
It’s the bubbles that tell me it’s happy.
Keep it bubbly!
And as a reward, my sourdough journey is filling my happy place with memories that keep me smiling, fuel for the rough times that we are experiencing now and lay ahead.
My first sourdough experience.
Bread!
Several deep breaths and stretches later . . .
It’s deliciously tangy and chewy, and when accompanied by a dark strong tea, delight.
Perfect recipe to keep for hardship season. Application after application, my plight seemingly unending, with every hopeful click, job after job passes me by.
But taking breaks here and there, I savor every bite, proud of my attempt. It invigorates, encouraging me to relentlessly submit, bringing me one “click” closer.
My second sourdough experience.
Cinnamon rolls.
Oh, this is a hit!
My sister loves it. Her husband loves it. Their four-year-old loves it!
Now that is a feat, if any.
Silence follows every mouthful. Buttery textures, with every bite, morphing from tangy to sweet.
This is one of my favorite memories, banked in my happy place.
A sweet reminder to never lose sight of what matters! It helps keep me grounded.
My third sourdough experience.
Focaccia.
Savory goodness! At least by the third try.
I am glad for my stubborn streak, at least in this instance. Its determination, going through recipe after recipe, until I found THE recipe.
With each try, my family, guinea pigs, every time, giving me encouragement to continue.
Keep trying! That perfect recipe, that perfect job. It’s coming.
It’s devoured! From egg sandwiches to lunch side dishes and afternoon snacks.
The secret? Adding rosemary.
My fourth sourdough experience.
Pizzas!
Two delicious 12-inch pies: cheese upon cheese and roasted vegetables.
However, it’s a rocky start, much like my week.
Slow to rise, even with a full packet of yeast and several hours of proofing, they lay there like deflated tires.
It’s sticky. Should it be this sticky?
Ultra-thin when stretched out. Why does it keep tearing?
Looks nothing like the picture—fat and at least ½ an inch high after proofing.
It’s time to pivot, much like my week.
And with two thin-crust slices of cheese and one slice of roasted veggies left, we sit back, bellies full, smiling and saying, “That recipe’s a keeper.”
Bonus: another child-approved recipe!
Hopefully, I’ll hear back this time, moving sideways towards that “perfect-for-me” job.
Not ideal, but it’s what I love to do, where I love to work.
Taking a step back to keep moving forward, it’s my new strategy. I’ve been able to start over before. I see no reason I can’t do so again.
My latest sourdough experience.
Pancakes!
Final judgement: to be determined.
But I am hopeful.
Pancakes are everyone’s favorite, kids and all.
To that, we add a breakfast casserole. Cheesy and gooey, bubbling when it’s finally served.
Accompanied by crispy potatoes, sausage or bacon.
Still deciding.
Oh, and bread pudding for dessert, topped with a strawberry compote.
Breakfast for dinner. Absolute genius, the inventor!
It’s Monday. Another application sent.
And still hopeful.
This journey is a reminder to find silver linings wherever I can, and for me, it is through food most of the time. There is no better way to enjoy life’s everyday blessings than by enjoying the creativity food brings out of me. For now, it’s playing with everything sourdough and exploring how my mouth responds. It is seeing the smiles when a recipe succeeds, being encouraged when it’s flat and inedible.
Thank you for coming on this food journey with me, and I pay it forward. I wish you a food journey, or any experience, that encourages a smile even during hard times.
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Pamela has a public health background. She enjoys reading, creative writing, and watching psychological thrillers and mysteries, with the occasional comedy.