Sourdough has been EVERYWHERE during this pandemic! On late night shows, on celebrity instagram accounts, on blogs, facebook and more - people gush over their crusty loaves, their no-knead breads, their seeded rolls and the joy of bread baking in general.

Finally, I feel validated, seen and redeemed. I am not so alone anymore in my love affair with bread baking! This love affair has been demanding, frustrating, affirming, enjoyable and educational. I started Sadie, my sourdough starter in June of 2016. We have survived the early awkward days of getting to know each other. My fantasy high expectations lead to her struggle to perform. My slowly acquired understanding of her needs and her cycle finally got us to where we are today - a mutually satisfying partnership. I take care of her and she takes care of me (and a few other beneficiaries as well).

I started by accumulating books on the topic and reading King Arthur Baking Company excellent resource as well as a few thorough blogs like The Perfect Loaf. (You can find how to create your own sourdough starter in either of these resources). At this point, 4 years later, I feel ready to try experimenting on my own, creating my own recipe based on my previous experiences and the knowledge I had gained along the way. I have baked baguettes, boules, herbal loaves, sweet ones, fruit studded breads and even chocolate breads and babkas - all featuring the ever strengthening and evolving Sadie.

Now has come the time for a sweet dough - play time! This is my kind of play!! I tried more and less sugar in the dough, vanilla vs. citrus zest, all purpose flour vs. bread flour, milk vs. water, more or less eggs and the list goes on… Then came the filling and the shaping, but I won’t drag this any longer and just provide you with the recipe! I settled on a soft, fragrant dough, laced with orange zest and vanilla and filled it with a combination of lemon-ginger jam (available at World Market) which I love, with a ricotta filling, which I made. After a few tries in shaping the dough I determined that the swirled knots held their form while embracing the lemony-ricotta filling the best.

So here they are: Sadie’s Citrus-Ricotta knots, which are a lesson in patience, care and flavor. (I listed the times, so if you decide to try them out you can plan accordingly).

Good Luck and let me know how yours turn out!

Sadie's Citrus-Ricotta Knots