How to Care for Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware
Enamelled cast iron is fairly easy to look after. You do not need to season it like bare cast iron, and everyday cleaning can be as simple as warm soapy...
Enamelled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Buying Guide
An enamelled cast iron Dutch oven can last for years, so it is worth choosing one that suits the way you actually cook. You do not necessarily need the most...
Why Bake Sourdough in a Dutch Oven?
A Dutch oven works well for sourdough because it traps moisture around the loaf during the first part of the bake. That gives a home baker something an ordinary oven...
Is My Sourdough Starter Dead?
You open the jar, and nothing is happening. No big bubbles. No obvious rise. Maybe there is even a layer of dark liquid sitting on top. Before you throw it...
How to Keep a Sourdough Starter Healthy and Active
A healthy sourdough starter does not need to bubble furiously all day, and a starter that looks flat is not necessarily dead. What matters is whether it responds predictably after...
How to Get More Consistent Sourdough Results
If your sourdough turns out well one week and completely different the next, finding another recipe can feel like the obvious answer. Then another baker recommends a different hydration. A...
How Should Sourdough Feel Before Shaping?
If you are about to shape your sourdough and suddenly think, “Is it supposed to feel like this?”, you are not alone. Dough that is ready to shape is usually...
Common Sourdough Crust Problems and How to Fix Them
There is no single “perfect” sourdough crust. Some people want it thin and crisp. Others prefer a darker, chewier crust. The useful question is not whether your loaf looks like...
How Long Should Bread Cool Before Cutting?
For a typical sourdough loaf, waiting about 2 hours before cutting is a good starting point. A large or particularly moist loaf may need closer to 3 hours or longer....
Warm vs Cold Fermentation for Sourdough
If your sourdough recipe spends several hours on the bench and then goes into the fridge overnight, those two stages are doing different jobs. Warm fermentation moves the dough along....
Can You Freeze Sourdough Starter?
Yes, you can freeze sourdough starter. A healthy starter may come back perfectly well after thawing, but freezing is not the most reliable way to store a starter you really...
Why Steam Matters When Baking Sourdough
If you have ever wondered why sourdough is often baked inside a Dutch oven or covered bread oven, steam is a big part of the answer. During the first part...
How to Stop Food Sticking to Enamelled Cast Iron
Enamelled cast iron is not non-stick cookware. Food can stick if the pan is too hot, not hot enough, too dry, crowded, or if you try to move it before...
Why Is My Sourdough Gummy in the Middle?
You cut into your sourdough and the crust looks properly baked, but the middle feels damp, sticky or slightly doughy. Sometimes the loaf simply needed longer in the oven. Sometimes...
Why Is My Sourdough Dough So Sticky?
Sticky sourdough dough does not always mean something has gone wrong. Freshly mixed dough can feel messy, stick to your hands and refuse to behave anything like the smooth dough...
Why Is My Sourdough Sticking to the Loaf Pan?
If your sourdough looks ready to come out but the bottom or corners are still stuck, don’t keep pulling at it. Fresh bread is soft and can tear surprisingly easily....
How to Stop the Bottom of Sourdough Getting Too Dark
You take the lid off your Dutch oven and the loaf looks great — good rise, nicely browned crust — but when you turn it over, the bottom is much...
Bread Cloche vs Dutch Oven for Sourdough
If you bake sourdough, you have probably seen both bread cloches and Dutch ovens recommended for the job. Both can work very well. Both create a covered baking environment that...
Can You Bake Sourdough in a Loaf Pan?
Yes — and a loaf pan can be a very practical way to bake sourdough. You will not get exactly the same loaf as you would from a round Dutch...
What Size Dutch Oven for Sourdough? NZ Size Guide
Quick answer: For most home sourdough loaves, a Dutch oven around 4–5 litres is a good starting point. Smaller loaves can work well in a 3.5–4L pot, while larger loaves...
Beginner's Soft Sourdough Sandwich Loaf
This recipe yields a beautifully soft, milk-enriched loaf that is perfect for toast and sandwiches. The method is designed to be straightforward and forgiving for beginners, relying on visual cues...
Beginner’s No-Knead Sourdough Bread
Welcome to your sourdough journey. Baking bread does not require you to be a professional or have a deep scientific background. Made from just flour, water, salt, and your starter,...
Everyday Beginner Sourdough Loaf
This recipe is designed to be a reliable starting point for new bakers. It uses an overnight method that requires minimal active work, relying on time to develop the bread's...
Beginner Sourdough Bread Recipe
This simple sourdough recipe is designed for baking in a cast iron bread oven or Dutch oven, which traps steam and helps create a beautifully risen loaf with a crisp...