In our house it's not just me and Will. We have Donald, Jeeves, Bluey and our newest addition, Kevin. We like to name things you see so when the lovely Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial sent me a little of Priscilla her sourdough starter, I had named mine before even seeing Celia's request to please give it a name.
It didn't take us long. The conversation literally went like this:
me: Celia's sending me some more sourdough starter! I can't kill it this time so it definitely needs a name.
Will (without batting an eyelid at naming a sourdough starter): How about Kevin? It sounds like a suitably doughy name.
and so Kevin was named even before he was born.
ps Celia - I clearly talk about you too much because I no longer need to add 'my blogging friend' for Will to know who I'm talking about.
I think this may have arrived on Friday but someone neglected to tell me that they hadn't checked the Po Box so when Celia emailed me asking if it had arrived on Monday morning, I raced out the door to check and found this waiting.
Of course I got straight to reviving the dried out portion of Priscilla and bringing Kevin to life. He got a feed of flour and water straight away then I covered him up.
He got another feed when I had my lunch (we ate together) and then one more just before bed. I tucked him in and wished him good night hoping that by morning he would be alive and well.
This is what I found when I rose at 6am the next day. Kevin was alive. It took all my power not to get stuck into baking straight away but I was good and went for a walk first.
As soon as I was home it was baking time. I read, reread and rereread Celia's instructions then with a big breath I dived in.
As per instructions I got my hands in and squished it all together until there were no more dry bits.
I cleaned off my hands, covered the bowl and checked Twitter only to discover this from Celia (read the bottom one first):
Good thing the second tweet came through. I was way too eager to start to wait a couple of hours!
After a little rest it was time to knead. I know I usually use my dough hook but in Celia's tutorial she says she only kneads for a minute so that's all I did. I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing but I just kept 'kneading' until it looked pretty smooth.
Then it was big rest time. I think mine took about 4 hours to get from this
to this. It helped that I was posting a photo of every step on Instagram so I could check if it had doubled in size.
Then it's just a case of a very quick shaping. You just imagine it's a square then tuck all four sides in underneath.
You don't even need a stone for baking this just an oven tray with a bit of baking paper.
Another hour or so later Kevin's first loaf was ready for baking.
After a quick slashing of the top 'with panache' as directed by Celia, it was into the oven. My grandma rang half way through to ask how it was going and this conversation ensued:
Me: It's in the oven right now!
Guppy: I bet it smells pretty good.
Me: Yep is smells amazing.
Guppy: There's really nothing better than the smell of bread baking is there? I can understand why people used to steal bread back in the day, it would have been irresistible.
I have to say, when this baby emerged from the oven I had to agree with her. When Will came home, Kevin's first loaf was sitting on the bench ready to feature in that night's BBQ (we had a guest coming) he said 'oh it's Big Kev!'
So now not only does Kevin have a name, he has a Queensland nickname.
It sliced beautifully and got a thumbs up from both the boys.
Celia, thank you for being so generous and sharing your Priscilla with me. I hope I can share Kevin around and give Priscilla some grandkids.
Once I learn how to dry him out, if anyone would like any sourdough starter to play with just let me know.
What about you? Have you ever baked sourdough? What's your favourite type of bread?
Melissa Loh says
Kevin has done so well! Congratulations on such a gorgeous first loaf!
Claire says
Thanks Melissa!
The Life of Clare says
Kevin looks awesome. I also talk about you guys too much, especially recently with the birth of Maggie and Kevin, J can refer to everyone by the names of their sourdough starter. I love how easy and quick it is to make a sour dough loaf, I mean there's a bit of waiting around but not very much hands on time. Congratulations on the newest addition to your family.
Claire says
Congratulations to you too Claire! Maggie's first loaf is quite a beauty. It's hardly any effort at all really is it? If you're just making a round loaf it's literally about 5 minutes total work and the rest is resting or baking time.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your sourdough turned out so well! Can't wait to bake mine tomorrow...crossing my fingers that all will go well! ;)
Claire says
I'm sure it will Laura! Good luck!
Wendy says
Oh yes please - I would love to share some of Kevin! I have been longing to make sour dough from scratch, I have just got a bit confused with how to "start a starter". I also read Celia's blog , so to see the end product of her drying skills is wonderful!!
Claire says
Oh Wendy I shall add your name to the list! I successfully dried some out this weekend so now I know how to do it!
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
Oh, Claire.. I love this! I've been following you on Facebook (as you know) and adore your newest family member. Kevin is just the perfect addition, isn't he? You inspired me so much, I've signed up for a Sourdough Starter baking class here in Calgary with Aviv Fried, the Sidewalk Citizen Baker (he's somewhat famous around here). I will have to choose a name:D xx
Claire says
Oh wow Barbara that sounds like a wonderful class. How exciting to hear I've inspired you! I can't wait to hear about the class x
lizzie - strayed from the table says
Claire you always put a smile on my face. Kevin looked great. I have never seen dry sourdough starter ever, I have always lugged the wet stuff around for people and swapped it to try others. I guess it compresses the time you need to make a loaf of bread. Sometimes the whole process for me can take 2-3 days.
Claire says
I'm glad Lizzie! Oh no it's still a long process the drying is just to transport it really. Once you rehydrate it it's the same process as usual.
Hotly Spiced says
I love this. It's such a great story. I read Celia's post a few days ago about how she dried out the starter on her fish tank! It's amazing to me how this starter just keeps multiplying and producing more generations. Your Kevin has produced a fine looking loaf xx
Claire says
Thanks Charlie! I'm going to try drying Kevin out tomorrow so he can have some kids of his own and give Priscilla some grandkids!
JJ - 84thand3rd says
You keep cracking me up with this! He looks gorgeous! Kevin's birthday is the same as my grandmother - her pesto would be perfect on him ;D I'm dying to do sourdough but don't think I'd be any good keeping it alive...
Claire says
Ooh I like the sound of that JJ! Well once I successfully dry some I can send you a little to play with.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe I was just saying on Celia's blog that I needed to find another name because Kevin in my Masterstock name. Because I don't think enough cats are called Kevin :)
Claire says
Wow Lorraine what are the chances?!
ELIZABETH BRADSHAW says
Dear ClaireK
I would love some dry Kevin, I have been really rubbish at trying to start sourdoughs.
I am in W.A.
Elizabeth
Claire says
Hi Elizabeth! Ok great. When I have some dried out I will get in touch!
GourmetGetaways says
WOW!! I love this story!! It was so amusing, and in typical aussie tradition the minute the bub emerges it also has a nic name for life. Welcome Big Kev.
You have done such an amazing job! Big Kev looks so crusty and delicious.
I would love to help produce more offspring, such fun :)
Claire says
Yes so true! Ok Julie I'll add you to the list too!
Nic@diningwithastud says
OMG thats awesome! Lol at the names - Stud's name is Kevin so this post is slightly odd for me ;) lol! I'd love to give it a shot when you work out how to dry him out x
Claire says
Haha yes that might be a little odd baking up Kevin! Ok I'll add you to the list!
Linda Woodrow says
Priscilla is one tough lady! I have one of her offspring too, now a couple of years and hundreds of loaves old. I (literally) haven't bought bread since he arrived, not because I'm a purist, just because it's impossible to go back. He comes with us on holidays and has a holiday too, just making pikelets and pancakes at the beach. But at home, he generally makes two small loaves a week of the heavy, healthy, wholegrain bread that is our staple and a weekend loaf of fruit and nut, or olive and thyme, or dark rye bread, or croissants or focaccia or naan - he's infinitely versatile. I've got a nice little rhythm going that allows me to bake bread around a workday that sees me home at 6pm wanting just a glass of wine and some peace and quiet. It's a very durable love affair, this sourdough!
Claire says
Oh wow lucky starter to go on holidays. I'll have to take Kevin to the beach! I'm going to buy some grains next week and get experimenting with them because we love our multigrain here. Wow I didn't know there were so many things you could make with him. I think Kevin and I are going to get along just fine!
alison@thisbloominglife says
Big Kev looks great Claire. I'm just about to mix up another dough, yum yum yum. Must say, I think I'm putting on weight though. Tell Kev Marion sends her love! xxx
Claire says
Yum yum! Oh dear yes that is a slight side effect. I'm just trying to think of people I can give bread. Do you think that's a strange Birthday present?
celia says
Oh Claire, he's perfect!! I've been waiting for the crumb shot!! Thank you for taking such good care of him! :)
Claire says
Thank YOU Celia!