Let me tell you about my friend Emilie.
She’s drop dead gorgeous, creative and smart, but still manages to be one of the most grounded people I know. We met years ago through our blogs and have been firm friends ever since, despite living on opposite sides of the world. Together we’ve shared an amazing sourdough journey – our starters Priscilla and Dillon are related – and between us we’ve baked hundreds (literally!) of loaves in our little home kitchens.
I love her to bits. I mailed her some dried starter years ago, and since then her bread baking skills have taken off at an exponential rate. Every time we chat, I learn something new from her, which is why I’m beyond excited that her book on sourdough has just been released…
It magically appeared in my iPad Kindle reader on Tuesday (I’d had it pre-ordered). I started reading her introduction, got to this section…and began to tear up. Here’s what she wrote…
You see, Em gets it. The magic of sourdough baking is in the sharing.
It’s in the mailing of a packet of starter halfway around the globe, or baking a loaf for an elderly neighbour, or exchanging ideas with sourdough obsessed friends on Twitter. And it’s also about sharing knowledge, so that others too can learn to bake delicious loaves at home. That small pot of bubbling flour and water has the capacity to empower and connect, and to build a sense of community in an age when gentle camaraderie is sorely lacking. The opportunity to “break bread” with family, friends and neighbours, both in real life and virtually, can be truly soul restoring.
And that’s why I’m so excited that Emilie has written this book! You see, she isn’t just a brilliant bread baker, she’s also incredibly real and down to earth. Many sourdough bread books are written by professionals working in commercial environments and as such, they’re not targeted towards “regular” folks baking in their home kitchens.
On the other hand, my darling friend has tested her recipes in a tiny fifty year old domestic oven with a gerry-rigged latch, retrofitted to hold the door closed. She has proofed dough in her non-airconditioned kitchen through sweltering heatwaves and New York winters. She has learned how to produce fabulous bread on days when it’s too hot to preheat the oven, coddled a sleepy starter back to life, and figured out a baking schedule that fits easily into a busy lifestyle. She knows the problems you’re likely to run into when you’re a novice baker, because she’s been through them.
. . . . .
An hour after the book arrived, I pulled Priscilla out of the fridge and began feeding her up. The first recipe I tried was the High Hydration Sourdough, and the results were superb…
I was very chuffed with the blistered crust (highly valued by artisan bakers) and well developed sourdough flavour…
. . . . .
Inspired, I mixed up a batch of Em’s focaccia dough that evening. I was intrigued – it was completely different to any recipe I’d tried before.
The following morning, I assembled her Stuffed Croque Monsieur with Ricotta and Swiss. I texted her to (jokingly) complain that she had me trashing my kitchen at 6.45am…
Somewhat ambitiously, I made a double batch of the recipe and then attempted to fit it all into a half sheet pan. Peering nervously through the oven door, I watched as it rose…and browned and bubbled to perfection. It was, without doubt, one of the best breads I’ve ever baked…
Everyone should buy this book, if for this one recipe alone…
. . . . .
If you’ve never baked before, Artisan Sourdough Made Simple will teach you everything you need to know – how to grow your own starter from scratch, how to bake a variety of different loaves, what to do with your leftovers, and much more. Emilie’s prose is chatty and approachable, and her instructions are clear and succinct. There is a photo of every loaf, plus clever hints to help you achieve perfect results from your very first bake.
And if you already have a Priscilla starter in your kitchen, please buy this book. Not just because we’re all mentioned in it (although how exciting is that!) or because it’s great to support a member of our baking community, but because secretly (shh) Em wrote this book just for us. Hmm. Ok, that’s not really true, but it certainly feels that way! ♥
PS. The hard copy looks magnificent (Emilie has a video on her blog), but I bought the Kindle version as I was too impatient to wait for delivery. The e-book cost me less than US$10 and reads brilliantly on my iPad – the font is sharp and the text is fully hyperlinked, which makes it simple to navigate between sections.
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Oh Celia, I think I’ll be patient and wait for the delivery of a hardcover book, I can see me patting the pages! Miranda is still delighting us, Priscilla would be proud. I bake about 4 times a week and each loaf is greeted with joy & excitement by the whole family, truly is magic. Off to order that book now!
Cath, I think the best price for us Aussies might be through bookdepository.com? The Amazon price is cheaper, but I think with postage etc, book depository works out a bit cheaper. So glad Miranda is going well! :)
Great minds Celia!! Book depository is where I ordered it from!!! Was going to reply last night but was busy with Miranda, with an audience of my daughter, son & his girlfriend. I’ve offered to let them each have a go from beginning to end one weekend, they’re keen but knowing my son he will read Emilie’s book cover to cover until he attempts it!!
Hope all is well with you and your family xo
Really appreciate the “head up” about this book … I have just ordered it … Celia … YOU have also taught me so much about sourdough through your blog, so thank you too! xo
Thank you for doing that, you’re going to love the book! I’m baking from it for the third time this morning! :)
How fabulous! Coincidentally, on Tuesday night i passed on some of my Princess Patsy toTania who is taking her home to North Queensland. i made it very stiff with flour and hoped that would keep her alive and well for the journey, but i also backed it up with some dried starter as well as your original instructions. It was such pleasure to be able to share my starter with somebody else who is really interested in the process and excited to start – Tania has yet to christen hers. I’ll also let her know about the book. I’m going to get one too. I’ve had such pleasure from my bread making and learn something with each loaf. Thanks so much for everything , Celia.
Jan, I’m soooo happy that Princess Patsy is still doing well! She’s nearly five years old now! xxx
Tania has just let me know she has named her starter Debra – it’s an anagram of bread – isn’t that neat:)
Wonderful article–both the testament to the power of sourdough starter and the friendships it creates. Gorgeous pictures as always.
Thanks Pat! I thought of you the other day – my sister sent me the latest list from the Washington Post’s Mensa Invitation. Have you seen it? It’s brilliant this year! :)
Great post, and lovely to see Emilie’s book and ‘toast’ her success 😄😄😄
“Toast” her success… what a clever way to put it, Elaine!
Celia, so proud of you for Priscilla being mentioned at the “start(er)” of this beautiful cookbook. :)
😄😄😄
You girls are so “punny”! :)
I also had the book on pre-order and had a great time browsing through – it is truly fantastic!
I am away on a work trip, but can hardly wait to go back home and attack a few recipes – attack on a good, gentle way, that is… ;-)
the high hydration sourdough was very high on my priority list, and inspired by your post I might just go for it
great review, Celia!
Hello gorgeous one…I was thinking about you just the other day! How have you been? How’s the Handsome Stud? Hope all is going well! xxx
all good but very busy – we are working in a research institute near Washington DC for a week… counting the days to be back in our kitchen, baking up a storm!
Handsome Stud says hello! ;-)
Plus one for a friend – now, the hard copy though – where can i get one – I have a girl in NZ who already has a priscilla (smuggled in by her mother in law) and maybe this would be the perfect xmas gift? c
FOUND IT!!!
Yay! You’re going to have fun with this, Celi! xxx
How exciting is that- Can’t wait to get a copy.
Thanks lovely – it really does feel like it was written for us! :D
I need to buy this now….and your bread all looks amazing!
Thanks hon, the focaccia was ridiculous. I woke up this morning craving more, but we’d smashed the entire double batch in one day! :D
Hi Celia, I always enjoy your bread posts the best! Being one of the lucky recipients of your sourdough giveaway several years ago (Norman son of Priscilla; still going strong), I continue to make lots of sourdough bread and pizza. Thanks!
Anne, how wonderful, thanks for letting me know! Good on Norm! :)
Celia I just bought this book for my kindle, Emilie’s other book looks good too. Thank you for all the bread, and other, inspiration over the years.
Madge, her first book is excellent! I hope you enjoy them both as much as I have! Thanks for supporting her! :)
Hi Celia. I bought the book you recommeneded. Is there a way to get the Priscilla starter? I live in Dubai. Let me know please. Thanks a lot!
Hi Nora, i’m afraid I don’t have any to send out at the moment! But Emilie‘s book has great instructions on how to grow your own. I’ll put a note on the blog the next time I have some to share!
I will be on the lookout. Thank you!
Your fabulous enthusiastic post has really fired me up. I have a friend who bakes sourdough who offered me some starter last week. I turned it down on the basis- I don’t have time/bake enough. Now I’m calling her for the starter and seeing if that fabulous book is published in the UK. GG
Hahaha…sorry GG, I can get very enthusiastic about sourdough sometimes! I’m pretty sure you can get the book through Amazon UK!
Wow, how cool is that. Will definitely check it out, and your breads look great.
Hello my lovely friend, how nice to hear from you! I hope all is going well? Even though you’re one of the best bakers I know, I still think you’d enjoy Em’s book! xxx
Thanks for the heads up Celia. Will also purchase a copy. I have not bought bread for almost two years due to your and Francesca’s generosity. I also enjoy sharing a loaf or two.
Andrea, isn’t it amazing not to have to buy bread? I’m so glad you’re enjoying the whole process. :)
I just went straight online (well, OK, I was already online) to order this book, it looks like just what I need to get the most out of my starter!
Melissa, thank you! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
OK OK I get it and anything you enthusiastically recommend
Hehehe…I could say ditto, Roz, given that I’m now racing out to every contemporary art exhibition I can find.. :)
I bought the ebook, then went back online and ordered the hard copy. Can’t wait!
I have to confess, I did exactly the same thing. :D
Looks and sounds fantastic Celia! Thank you x
Thanks lovely Jane! xxx
I could have used this no nonsense guide a few years back but now thanks to both you and Priscilla I make fabulous SD bread frequently to feed both family and friends. Bought the Kindle version but it’s so good, I need hard copy too. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes
Sandra, that’s hilarious – I texted Em and said…”you KNOW I think your book is amazing, right? Because I even paid POSTAGE!” :D
After seeing the promotion of Emile’s book, I was very tempted to buy a copy but then convinced myself, whilst looking at my bookcases already groaning under the weight of 62 years of indulging my lust for cookery books, that I really did not need another one. Then I received this post and your eloquent praise of Emile’s book which swayed me into making a purchase from The Book Depository. I will now have to find space to squeeze another book onto my bookcases and hope this book is not the final straw that collapses the whole edifice!
Merle, even as an experienced baker, I’m sure you’re going to love Em’s book. And it will work brilliantly with our starter! Thanks for supporting my darling friend, she really is one of the nicest people I know. xxx
Sour dough…the way to go! Ah Priscilla, queen of my kitchen. Thank you Celia. xo
You are most welcome, lovely xx
Celia, oh my goodness! THANK YOU! This post means SO much to me you have no idea. If it wasn’t for your thoughtfulness, generosity, enthusiasm AND of course, Priscilla the book simply would not exist. Period. I never in a million years thought I’d become a sourdough baker. But watching you inspired me. And what I’m most proud of is watching all of us come together over a common interest. That’s what community is all about- real, inspiring connections! I know you know this already, but from one proud mama to another all of this makes me beam! Thank you for such a lovely post and sharing my book with your friends. I can’t wait to hug you in person! PS: thanks to everyone in this space for your lovely words and support, and for purchasing the book. xoxo
Ah you crazy girl, you know I love you! Haven’t we had fun! I’m soooo delighted for you that the book is so brilliant, but hey, I hardly expected anything else! I hope you sell a squillion copies! :) xxx
Thanks for the rec, C. Just order a hardcopy.
I have been struggling with my sourdough and it’s a bit disheartening… it just end up a crunchy heavy pancake loaf thing that if thrown, would really do some damage. I have no clue what I’m doing wrong either. I have made two loaves that knocked my socks off but I have no clue what I did differently and cannot replicate them for the life of me. Maybe this book will be my saving grace…
I need to get this book too since I have Eve, cousin to Priscilla thanks to you Celia. I’ve baked with her with much success in the last year or so but before an overseas trip, dried and froze her as you described a while back. Now I’m scared to see if I can bring her back to life :) I’m sure she’ll be fine but hey who can say no to a book like this?
Purchased! This might be the book that gets me making sourdough. I have other bread books but they’re so complicated. I’ve read Emilie’s introduction already and it sounds much more achievable her/your way. Thanks for the recommendation, Celia.
Side note: I made your Romertopf pulled pork again yesterday and it’s as awesome as it always is. Yum yum!!!
Very exciting! Still waiting for mine to appear, may just do eVersion as well.
I’m so happy with this book too. I’ve been going through lots of flour and messy kitchen days and enjoying all the results. The focaccia is on my list, hopefully I’ll get to it soon!
I always love your bread posts, Celia. I admire your kind and generous spirit and think how better the world would be with more people like you. I ordered the book after reading this post. I am on Day 3 of birthing a starter. Thinking about a name…
Have a story for you. I worked in bakeries for over 15 years. Some of the traning I had was on sour dough. There are many types. Sanfrancisco is considerd by may as the most flavourful though it has been tried to be copied, it just seems to be the mineral content of the water that makes it special there.
Ordered my copy of the book but Amazon UK hasn’t got it yet, can’t wait tp see it!
It looks amazing. My husband is giving this book to me for Christmas. Leo (son of Priscilla) is baking fantastic bread for our family of five. Thanks for sharing your starter Celia. PS I gave some starter to friends and their loaves won second prize in bread at the Bundeena show
I am so excited to read about this book and to know that you’re using it! As you may remember, your Priscilla is now my Gidget, and I am continually making and sharing the bread. My favorite is a rosemary sourdough, but I am eager to try something different. I will order the book tonight! :-)
I love baking my own bread, but I’ve never tried doing a sourdough. Maybe this will get me trying it.
Mine is ordered now too! Can’t wait.
Ooh brilliant. Instantly purchased on Kindle. I have to confess that I have got completely out of bread baking and my starter is no more😣
If you remember Celia you sent me two packets of pricilla so my husband could try it. Well that packet has lived in the fridge ever since. I intend to reconstitute it in January and get back into bread. Will let you know how it is after it’s long fridge vacation
Kay, it *should* be fine. But you know where to get more if you need it, just let me know! :)
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[…] Emilie’s book. Celia, the one and only blogger who lives in beautiful Australia, composed a wonderful review of Artisan Sourdough Made Simple, and I urge you to stop by and take a look… It might just be the push you need to take the […]
Hi, can I purchase some starter from you please? I live in Australia. Thanks. Patsy
Sorry, I don’t sell it!