Sourdough Starter - Knead Ace

New thing today, developed a sourdough starter. For Christmas I asked for this on Amazon Knead Ace starter kit and got it. Then went ahead and followed instructions for the starter. The first batch I accidentally killed by mis-measuring and adding too much water. Second batch wasn't working, so I went off-script and fed it half the amount twice as often. Then I also warmed it with those therapeutic muscle warmer cloths, sort of mini electric blanket. The warmth really helped as it has been super cold. Now I have a healthy sourdough starter that has been doing very well. Was exciting to feed and care for it in the beginning. Now its more of a chore, but my favorite thing is the smell of the starter - amazing :)

Three Bears

Had a writing exercise as part of a writing club I setup. I forgot how much fun writing is, and how much I enjoy it. Half the fun is researching, writing and the process, more than the results. Same with cooking, and many other things. Making the journey good.

Let's see if I can make writing regularly part of a balanced life. 

Anyway sharing, here's the story - Rewrite the Fairy Tale - Goldilocks and the three bears.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Once upon a time there was a picky eater named Goldilocks who was always searching for happiness in the food she ate. She was often grumpy because everyone else enjoyed food so much more than she did. She was always looking for the best bite, and a flavor that would make her go, “mmmmmmm”. She liked to Yelp review the places she explored and ate. She became a traveler and explorer, wandering many lands in the search for the perfect bite. She explored the oak parks, the woodland hills, and finally came upon the land of a thousand oaks.

In the land of a thousand oaks there lived a family of Bears. There were three cousins who all grew to love cooking. Pablo Bear’s mama was Peruvian, so he loved the food and culture. He visited Machu Picchu, learned the Quechua language and most of all loved to visit the coast and make a Parihuela, a spicy seafood soup that is hearty, warm and would comfort fisherman after a long day at sea. Maeena Bear’s father was Malaysian, and so she loved to cook Malay food. She loved to visit the rainforests of Malaysia, the capital Kuala Lumpor and learned to make a soup called Mee Sup which is a noodle soup with meat, shrimp and vegetables. The last one was named Balan Bear and he had a mom from Bangladesh. Balan loved to learn the language Bengali, loved visiting Kuakata beach and loved celebrating the annual Durga Puja festival honoring good conquering evil and the year’s new harvest. Balan’s favorite thing to make was a Borhani, a spicy yogurt drink that can help with digestion.

All three bears had their own restaurants in the land of a thousand oaks. Goldilocks decided to try their foods. Pablo Bear’s food was too hot and spicy. Maeena Bear’s food was too cold and mild. When Goldilocks went to Balan Bear’s restaurant, Balan had heard about Goldilocks from Pablo and Maeena. He decided to settle her stomach. He put down the Borhani drink before the start of her meal. At her first sip, Goldilocks said “mmmmmmm”. The drink settled her stomach, and she absolutely loved the Bangladeshi foods at the restaurant. It was the first time ever Goldilocks felt settled and content. After the meal, Goldilocks met Balan. They talked for a long time, and Goldilocks went home and had never slept so good before. Balan and Goldilocks were friends for many years, and one day got married. They had many children and lived happily ever after. But more importantly, before every meal, Balan would give Goldilocks a kiss, and make her a special Borhani to show his love for her every day.