We all know its the simple things that bring joy to our lives, but what does that really mean? Personally, I feel that joy hides out in the most unexpected places. Joy is simple to miss, it’ll pass you by if you’re not looking for it. I’ve missed it, many times; I have chosen to live in the negative. I have focused on the bad behaviours, the messy kitchen, my kid’s bad choices, my bad choices. Joy is a choice. It’s the dancing in the kitchen; forgetting your chores for a few moments, giggling on the phone, hugging your kids, doing something that you love. I love baking and crafting. There is joy in creativity.
This week I found creativity and joy in my Sourdough English Muffins. I make these often. I love them, my kids love them. They make the whole family happy. They taste so much better than the store bought version. I call them my English Muffins, which is technically unfair, as they’re a recipe I found on Jonesin’ for Taste’s Blog. You can find the complete recipe at this link:
There is, however, significance in my ownership of this recipe. I have made it so many times that I use the blog post as a reference. I know what I need to add and when I need to add it; its simple. It takes time and patience to complete. I hit my “Flow” when I mix the ingredients together, as I roll the dough and sprinkle the cornmeal. I don’t need to think, I just simply do, that’s the Flow I speak of, baking becomes a meditation of sorts. I take the joy; I eat it up! I ignore the frustrations of life, as I create something beautiful, I allow it to warm my soul. That’s the trick to joy, you need to accept it.
The ingredients are simple, wholesome and I get to use my sourdough starter. My starter, which I affectionately call Ramona, has received my love and care throughout the past two years. I have personified Ramona, honestly, she has to be the most giving pet I have ever owned. If you don’t have a sourdough starter, I would totally recommend starting one of your own. I have added a link to my sourdough article here:
Sourdough English Muffins
1/2 Cup Sourdough Starter
1 Cup of Milk
2 Cups of Organic All Purpose Flour
Mix these three ingredients together in a large bowl. Once combined, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Once your dough has rested overnight, add an additional:
3/4 Cup of Organic All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp of Sugar
3/4 Tbsp of Ground Sea Salt
1 Tsp of Baking Soda
Once your ingredients are fully combined, drop your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4-5 minutes.
Roll your dough out to 3/4 of an inch and begin cutting with either a wide mouth mason jar or a large glass.
Line a cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle the paper with cornmeal.
As your English Muffins are cut, drop them onto the lined cookie sheets; flip to coat both sides with cornmeal.
Make sure to space them properly on your cornmeal and parchment lined cookie sheet, as they will increase in size during your rise.
When your cookie sheet is full, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area to rise.
Allow your muffins to rise at least 45 minutes before cooking.
You can re-roll your scraps to cut additional English Muffins but the dough requires at least 10 minutes rise time between each cutting.
I typically get 10-12 English Muffins out of this recipe; if you require more, the recipe doubles well and freezes beautifully.
To cook your English Muffins, lightly oil a frying pan, cook over medium heat for approximately 4 minutes per side.
Enjoy them toasted with jam, peanut butter, almond butter or as an “over-the-top” delicious egg sandwich.
The greatest excitement I experience while making these Sourdough English Muffins is how amazing they look. The first time I made them, I pulled them off of the pan as I giggled hysterically. They looked like English Muffins. Real English Muffins. I had made something that I could buy at a store. They looked Professional. Who knew you could make English Muffins? Preservative Free English Muffins. It turns out you can make English Muffins. If you decide to make them; you too should enjoy every moment of the process. Once your soul is fed, gobble one up and feed your tummy too.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Feel free to comment below with any questions, concerns or if you just liked this Big Idea!!
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