I’ve been working with this English Muffin recipe and I almost dumped the dough yesterday for the second time. It just wasn’t rising like I wanted. So I decided to go a different route and set the dough on a heating pad. That did the trick! The dough started rising like crazy. Once it was doubled, I popped it into the fridge for an overnight cold fermentation. This gives the finished product a much more complex flavor that I prefer.
While I was waiting for the bulk rise, I mixed up a batch of sourdough crackers. They were delicious and crunchy, but I sprinkled a bit too much salt on them. This is a good way to use up sourdough discard. I’ve been trying to use the cowboy method of keeping sourdough starter which goes without the discarding. But, creature of habit, I know that a regularly fed starter is going to stay healthy so I’m back to my original method. In exchange, I’m trying lots of discard recipes so nothing’s wasted.
You know…French Fries did not originate in France. But English Muffins do have their origins in the UK. I wish I would have known better when I lived over there. I could have learned so many things that would have served me over the years. In the early 1800’s, the muffin man would walk around his neighborhood and sell these wonderful golden rounds with plenty of nooks and crannies to hold the butter and jam we spread on them. I think they’re best toasted so you get that little bit of crispy crunch.
English muffins are different than crumpets in a few ways. Muffins are griddled on each side then they are split, either by slicing or by poking all around the sides with a fork and prying the two halves apart. I prefer the second method as the little bits of bread that sticks up add even more crunch when they’re toasted. Also, English muffins are made with yeast…either regular or sourdough.
Crumpets are made with a thick batter that you pour out on the griddle. It is griddled on the one side and top cooks through from the bottom up. They are made with a different leaven like baking soda. They have nooks and crannies, too. But they’re more like a tunnel that fills up with that yummy melted butter and jam or honey.
We really got clobbered with the snow. We ended up with a full ten inches! Mr. FixIt stayed on top of things by running the snowblower frequently. We haven’t had a snow like this since I’ve live here. The last time I saw a snow like this was in February 2015. My aunt and I had parted ways and I watched a friend’s house for two months. Then I moved Big TOW-Wanda to another friend’s place where I could plug in to the utilities. We had a big snow that month and I remember I pretty much stayed in bed for three days to stay warm under an electric blanket. That was quite an adventure, let me tell you. Looking back, I remember feeling so proud of myself for soldiering on when things got tough. I thank God every day for our warm and happy home here with Mr. FixIt.
I also want to thank you all for your warm and loving words yesterday regarding my 25th Anniversary of sobriety. That’s something else I am proud of and I know I’d never be here if it weren’t for Jesus walking with me…and sometimes carrying me.
I’m hoping I’ll get these muffins baked today then I can start on some bread. I’m so glad we don’t have to go out in this weather. It’s going to be frigid in the next few days, then another winter storm will be coming through. I’m praying you all are safe and warm today!
“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5 ESV