Failed first sourdough attempt and Gosky Patties
As I discarded the lump of pumpernickel colored modeling clay that refused to become bread after much tender care and extra time in the oven, I was reminded of Edward Lear's recipe for Gosky patties:
" TO MAKE GOSKY PATTIES
"Take a pig, three or four years of age, and tie him by the off-hind leg to a post. Place 5 pounds of currants, 5 of sugar, 2 pecks of peas, 18 roast chestnuts, a candle, and six bushels of turnips, within his reach; if he eats these, constantly provide him with more.
"Then, procure some cream, some slices of Cheshire cheese, four quinces of foolscap paper, and a packet of black pins. Work the whole into a paste, and spread it out to dry on a sheet of clean brown waterproof linen.
"When the paste is perfectly dry, but not before, proceed to beat the Pig violently, with the handle of a large broom. If he squeals, beat him again.
"Visit the paste and beat the pig alternately for some days, and ascertain that if at the end of that period the whole is about to turn into Gosky Patties.
"If it does not then, it never will; and in that case the Pig may be let loose, and the whole process may be considered as finished."
Sourdough and I are finished, at least for the nonce.
I know its not easy, I haven't managed to get a starter going let alone a loaf of bread made, even a failure.
But I'm not going to give up, I will keep on working to get my kitchen is some sort of non disaster mode, and find the time to work on it, and try again.
I really want to try and make sour dough bread, because it might be better for me than regular bread, but its very annoying when it doesn't work, and you have wasted the flour and the time and still have no idea why its not working.
Right now I have decided to concentrate on Xmas stuff, I have fruit cake fruit soaking, and I just cooked up my persimmons into pulp, and hope to make persimmon pie and cookies, and my other goodies, as we will be having Xmas dinner on the 23rd, the only day we can manage to get the family together, since both males are working nights and when one is off the other is working. so we have decided to have it early on the 23rd, and get one coming and one going!
I learned about persimmon pudding when I lived in southern Indiana. It's great stuff!!
I was lucky to see them in the store, they are about a dollar each up here, and I was broke and could only get around 8, these are the Japanese ones, commercially grown not the larger American ones, and I had to let them sit for a month to ripen up enough to be tasty!
I barely got three cups of pulp, which will make one recipe of cookies and one pie! So can't share, sorry!