WOW! I've ben experimenting with sourdough for about a year now, trying to bake that seemingly elusive DECENT loaf! lol My mother in law bakes SD Bread that ROCKS... she gave me the recipe she SAYS she uses but I have never been able to come even close to duplicating the texture of her chewy, crispy crust or the flavor of the soft, chewy crumb. I tried several different recipes from other cookbooks and still couldn't make anything but mediocre loaves that were "good enough" if toasted and slathered in butter and jellies. I nearly gave up. In fact, for awhile I did give up. I didn't bake for several months. Then it hit me: the recipe she gave me COULD NOT POSSIBLY be the recipe she actually uses, bless her heart! LOL There's just no way that I'm just THAT BAD at sourdough!!! Then last week I stumbled onto your website (I think it was the SD Chocolate Cake that got my attention) I made that cake immediately - I didn't have time or enough confectioners sugar to make your frosting recipe but the cake itself was AMAZING! It became a favorite at my house with one bite! I used your Rustic SD recipe today. The first two loaves are in the fridge getting nice and tangy for baking tomorrow. I followed the recipe except for adding 2 cups of my 60 day old homemade starter that I now maintain according to your instructions. While mixing my dough, I ended up adding a bit more water as it was a bit too dry. It rised nicely, the dough itself smells wonderful, the loaves are pretty. The recipe was very easy to follow. I will have to let you know how the finished product turns out tomorrow after I bake. In the mean time, I made a second batch using only one cup of starter and probably about 4 1/3 cups of flour. Again, my dough rised up beautifully. I baked it as directed and I've gotta tell you, I suspect my mother in law found this website months ago the Rustic SD recipe is how she's been making such fabulous bread because the bread I baked today was REALLY good. I can hardly wait until tomorrow so we can try the Tangy SD version.

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