Food for the Journey

We must nourish our body as well as our soul. Let us steward well the temple God has given us! 

*Recipe of the Week*

• 475 grams all-purpose flour, 3 1/2 cups
• 100 grams starter, active and bubbly (1/2 cup)
• 325 grams water, 1 1/3 cups
• 10 grams salt, 2 teaspoons

• Feed a sourdough starter 4-12 hours before starting the dough, ensuring it is active and bubbly.
• Combine warm water, active starter, salt, and flour with a wooden spoon or even just your hands in a large mixing bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and allow to rest for 30 minutes for the water to hydrate the flour.

Stretch And Fold

Grab the edge of the dough and pull up stretching it out as you pull upwards. Place dough that is in your hands back into the center. Turn the bowl about a quarter turn and complete another stretch and fold. Repeat two more times. This is considered one round.

Thirty minutes later, complete another round of stretch and folds. Cover and allow the dough to rest another 30 minutes.

Complete one last stretch and fold round.

Cover with a lid, damp towel, or plastic wrap. Let the dough bulk ferment in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This could be anywhere from 6-12 hours (or longer) depending on the temperature of your kitchen, maturity of your starter, etc. Be careful not to let it over ferment.

Shape

Place the dough on a clean work surface that has been lightly dusted with flour. Fold the dough onto itself and roll up. Then shape into a ball by gently spinning it toward you.

Optional – Let the dough sit out for 15-20 minutes uncovered. This prevents the dough from sticking to the tea towel during the overnight rise.

Turn over and shape. I do this by folding the two sides over to meet in the middle, pinch together and then repeat on the other two sides. This creates surface tension which helps give it more oven spring (a good rise).

Transfer to a floured banneton or bowl with a floured tea towel seam side up.

Cover with plastic or place in a plastic bag and tie the ends. Let the dough rest for 12-15 hours in the refrigerator. You can also let the bread rise at room temperature for 3-4 hours. 

• Preheat a dutch oven to 500 degrees for 1 hour.
• Remove dough from the fridge right before baking. Place dough on a piece of parchment paper.
• Dust with flour, if desired, and score with lame or razor blade. 
• Carefully, transfer the piece of parchment paper with the dough into the hot dutch oven. Careful not to burn your fingers.
• Place the lid back on and place the dutch oven into the hot oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the lid with oven mitts, turn the oven temperature down to 475, and bake an additional 15-25 minutes or until golden brown

Our Highlighted Prayer And Reflection Of The Week

The Prayer Stabat Mater Dolorosa

 At the Cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her Heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Lo! the piercing sword had passed.

O how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother, highly blessed,
Of the Sole-Begotten One.
Mournful, with Heart's prostration,
Mother meek, the bitter Passion
Saw She of Her glorious Son.

Who on Christ's dear Mother gazing,
In Her trouble so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?
Who on Christ's dear Mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share Her sorrow deep?

For His people's sins rejected,
Saw Her Jesus unprotected.
Saw with thorns, with scourges rent.
Saw Her Son from judgement taken,
Her Beloved in death forsaken,
Till His Spirit forth He sent.

Fount of love and holy sorrow,
Mother, may my spirit borrow
Somewhat of your woe profound.
Unto Christ with pure emotion,
Raise my contrite heart's devotion,
To read love in every wound.

Those Five Wounds on Jesus smitten,
Mother! in my heart be written,
Deep as in your own they be.
You, your Saviour's Cross did bare,
You, your Son's rebuke did share.
Let me share them both with Thee.

In the Passion of my Maker,
Be my sinful soul partaker,
Weep 'til death and weep with you.
Mine with you be that sad station,
There to watch the great salvation,
Wrought upon the atoning Tree.

Virgin, you of virgins fairest,
May the bitter woe Thou bearest
Make on me impression deep.
Thus Christ's dying may I carry,
With Him in His Passion tarry,
And His Wounds in memory keep.

May His Wound both wound and heal me,
He enkindle, cleanse, strengthen me,
By His Cross my hope and stay.

May He, when the mountains quiver,
From that flame which burns forever,
Shield me on the Judgement Day.
Jesus, may Your Cross defend me,
And Your Mother's prayer befriend me;
Let me die in Your embrace.

When to dust my dust returns,
Grant a soul, that to You yearns,
In Your paradise a place.

Amen. 

May we faithfully remain with Our Blessed Mother. As we enter into this Lenten season, let us draw ever closer to Our Lady as She follows Her beloved Son to Calvary and teaches us to lovingly do the same.