Baking More Sourdough with A Scrappy Chain Bliock --post 2

My last sourdough post was November 2024. While I've baked some waffles and pancakes since that post, I haven't made any other recipes from the "Artisan Sourdough Made Simple" by Emilie Raffa. The lack of baking was partly due to my knee recovery, partly due to not needing to eat those calories and partly because I wasn't motivated to bake! 

Rustic Pumpernickel

At the end of January, I pulled out my cookbook and settled on the Rustic Pumpernickel bread. My pantry didn't have fennel seeds. I used anise seeds instead. The bread was delicious. I really liked the flavor and aroma the anise seeds gave the bread. Eaten warm, the texture was  coarse; but, I liked the chewy crust. I remarked that it would be delicious toasted and topped with goat cheese.  I ate it the next day, toasted and topped with goat cheese, it was delicious! I would make this recipe again.

Overnight Danish Rye 

At the beginning of February, I made a couple recipes. First, I baked a loaf of Overmight Danish Rye bread. This recipe contains sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds and flax seeds. It is a dense loaf. A slice is filling and delicious with goat cheese. Pickled onions, smoked salmon and cream cheese would also be great toppings for this bread.

Soft Share and Tear Rolls

Then, for Super Bowl Sunday, I made Soft Share and Tear Rolls. I was surprised at how light and airy these rolls were. As per the recipe, I used the dough hook on my mixer to knead the dough. Of all of the recipes that I have made from this cookbook, this was the first one that didn't require the dough to raise overnight. These were delicious with a little butter. I will definitely be baking these again!

Easy Bread Basket Rolls

When two of the granddaughters came to spend a little time with us during Spring Vacation, I baked Easy Bread Basket Rolls. They were easy and they were also delicious! They were even delicious the following day. I paired these with homemade chicken noodle soup. I made a double batch so that the granddaughters could take home some for their dinner. I will make these rolls again!

Roasted Garlic Sourdough Knots with Parmesean

With Easter approaching, I decided it was time to try another roll recipe. This time I baked xx rolls. What makes these rolls different is the way the rolls are shaped. You stretch the dough into a rectangle and then tie it in a knot. Think of the first step in tying your shoe. When the rolls come out of the oven, they are drizzled with butter and rolled in parsley and Parmesan cheese. I didn't have Pecorino cheese on hand so substituted Parmesan. These were delicious!

Toasted Sunflower

In May, I baked a loaf of Toasted Sunflower. It contained semolina, rye, whole wheat and bread flour. I got us use a proofing basket that my mom gave me for Christmas. It was a pretty loaf. I forgot to take a photo before I cut it. It was good and so filling!

Toasted Sesame Semolina

Also in May, I baked a loaf of Toasted Sesame Semolina, This time, I remembered to snap a photo before I cut into it! It was delicious! The sesame scent while it was baking was divine!

Make Ahead Stuffed Spinach and Artichoke Dip Bread

For Mother's Day, I baked the Make Ahead Stuffed Spinach and Artichoke Dip Bread. It was a little time consuming with steps to prepare the filling. It was good! Although, I could go with less cream cheese next time! We tried it warm and again at room temperature. We liked room temperature better. I didn't snap a photo of it whole as I forgot! It was a pretty braid and would be a good conversation starter at a potluck!

Layout of the block pieces

Now the second part of this post. . .after all, this is a quilting blog! Cynthia over at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework posted her next block drive pattern which is a scrappy chain. I have patriotic fabrics and figured why not make a sample block because maybe later I can make another Quilt of Valor.

Two blocks stitched 

These strips all came from my scraps. Stitching one block went so quickly that I decided to stitch a second block; but in a blue color way. The scrappy chain blocks went together like a dream. I had no issue with getting it to the 12. 5 inch measurement when I finished the block.

Some tips that I have learned over the years. . .cut with the ruler line on the edge of the fabric not the line straddling the fabric edge ; sew with a thin thread. . .Aurifil for example. Pay attention to the 1/4 inch seam mark. I do a test before I start the block. I check my seams after each press. Yes, it is time consuming; but at the end I know that I will have the correct sized block.

I will be making more of these blocks. I look forward to seeing the variety of layouts that Cynthia, her crew and her readers will use. Making a block was goal number 12 on my June list.  Linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap and Carol at To Do Tuesday!