Welcome to Deliceoso: My Journey with Natural Sourdough and the Art of Sourdough Discard
Hello and a warm welcome to everyone! I’m Ashly Martin, and I am absolutely thrilled to have you here at Deliceoso, my dedicated space for sourdough discard recipes. At 35 years old, I’ve had the immense privilege of transforming a passion rooted in childhood into a true way of life, bringing you innovative breads, breakfasts, and desserts, all crafted from that magical ingredient known as natural sourdough starter. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious beginner, my mission is to show you that your sourdough discard is not waste, but an inexhaustible source of flavor and creativity.
The Roots of My Passion: A Child, an Aunt, and a Shared Secret
My culinary journey began long before I could even imagine it. At the tender age of seven, my childhood world was shaken by my parents’ divorce. My sister Sophie and I were then welcomed and raised by our wonderful aunt. She was an extraordinary woman, brimming with wisdom, whose home overflowed with warmth and comforting aromas. It was she who instilled in me her deep love for homemade cooking, gardening a true ode to self-sufficiency and the taste of fresh produce and, above all, the art of sourdough discard baking. This early exposure to sourdough discard recipes laid the foundation for everything to come.
Every single day, my aunt would nurture her sourdough starter with an almost ritualistic precision, using the freshest ingredients from her own garden. I would watch, mesmerized, as she transformed simple mixtures of flour and water into this vibrant, bubbly, living natural sourdough, the magical heart of our kitchen. But what was most captivating was her “zero-waste” philosophy, long before it became a trend. Instead of discarding any excess sourdough after each feeding what we now lovingly call sourdough discard she taught me how to harness it to create a multitude of delicious sourdough discard recipes for our family. It wasn’t just about economy; it was a form of art, a dance with fermentation that transformed “waste” into treasure. Through her guidance, I learned the true value of sourdough discard baking and how to elevate simple ingredients into extraordinary homemade sourdough delights. These early sourdough discard recipes truly shaped my culinary path.
The Discard Revelation: Unexpected Versatility
Thanks to her, I discovered the incredible versatility of sourdough discard. Our mornings were often brightened by unbelievably fluffy pancakes and airy muffins, their subtle, slightly tangy flavor from the sourdough discard elevating every bite. My aunt showed me how to bake various sourdough discard recipes, making sure every bit of starter found a delicious purpose. The afternoons in her kitchen would fill with the enticing scent of cozy banana bread, delightfully chewy cookies, and rich, indulgent desserts, all generously enriched by this precious ingredient. These specific sourdough discard recipes became, and remain to this day, an essential part of my home cooking. They represent the quintessential essence of family cuisine: simple, delicious, and mindful of resources. It is from this childhood, steeped in authentic flavors and anti-waste values, that my deep expertise in sourdough discard baking and pastry-making truly stems. Every time I create new sourdough discard recipes, I remember those foundational lessons.
Between Travels and Ovens: The Dream of a Deliceoso Restaurant
For years, my life felt like a dual existence. By day, I worked part-time at a travel agency, helping people explore the world. But every afternoon, as soon as I crossed the threshold of my home, I would swap my maps and brochures for my apron, diving headfirst into my kitchen. This is where I spent countless hours, developing new sourdough discard ideas, experimenting with flavors, textures, and techniques. This passion, far from fading, grew steadily, fueled by every rising dough and every smile after a tasting.
What began as a personal exploration quickly expanded. Friends, family, and even neighbors started clamoring for my creations. This enthusiastic word-of-mouth inspired me to realize a dream: to open my own small neighborhood restaurant. Today, in this intimate and warm space, I proudly serve my homemade sourdough discard breads, creative breakfasts that reinvent classics, and decadent desserts, all born from that precious leftover sourdough starter. Each dish is a testament to the ingenuity of sourdough discard, transforming an often-underestimated resource into a key ingredient in my baking and pastry. My restaurant has become a place where customers can discover the richness of flavors, the depth of textures, and the delightful lightness of fermented recipes. My experience as a professional baker and recipe developer from these years has profoundly shaped Deliceoso.
Deliceoso: Sharing a Hidden Treasure with Home Bakers
Through this blog, Deliceoso, I aim to extend this philosophy and share with you the profound conviction that sourdough discard is not mere waste it’s a true hidden treasure, an incredible opportunity for culinary creativity. My goal is to offer you easy and inventive ways to transform this surplus natural sourdough starter into a multitude of delights: fluffy pancakes, savory muffins, tender banana breads, irresistible cookies, rich brownies, and so many more sourdough discard recipes.
Every sourdough discard recipe I publish on Deliceoso is the result of a rigorous process: it is systematically tested, simplified as much as possible to be accessible to home bakers of all skill levels, and designed with a dual objective. Firstly, to help you reduce food waste, a value dear to my heart and inherited from my aunt. Secondly, to enable you to prepare delicious and wholesome treats that will delight the entire family. My mission is to inspire you to see sourdough discard not as a burden, but as a source of opportunities, unique flavors, and joy in the kitchen. I truly believe that homemade baking should never be intimidating, but rather a source of accomplishment and pure delight.
Join the Deliceoso Community!
I am deeply grateful for your presence here and for being part of this wonderful adventure. Together, let’s explore the limitless potential of sourdough discard and transform what could be thrown away into something wonderfully delicious and nutritious. Your journey towards more creative, economical, and flavorful home cooking starts now. Thank you for trusting me and for choosing Deliceoso as your guide in the fascinating world of sourdough discard baking.
With all my passion and gratitude,
Ashly Martin Creator of Deliceoso Natural Sourdough Baker & Expert in Sourdough Discard Recipes