Comfort Baking with Blogger Amanda Paa

The Allsorts Podcast

When the going gets tough, do you get going… right into the kitchen? What is it about baking that is so deeply satisfying and comforting? I mean, eating your baking is deeply comforting but what about the act of baking itself? Why do so many of us reach for our apron when we need to chill?

It was these questions and more that drove my conversation with Amanda Paa, the food photographer, recipe developer and yes, sourdough baker, behind the blog Heartbeet Kitchen.

We talk about how discovering sourdough actually changed Amanda’s life (for real!) and how learning to bake sourdough has become a source of comfort and inspiration in her life, helping her grapple with anxiety and perfectionism.

We dive deep into the world of sourdough baking with plenty of practical tips to help even a novice get started, but we also talk a lot about the idea of health and striking that balance between nourishing our bodies and nourishing our souls. Amanda has been a food blogger since 2011 and she has a really unique story because she went from a strict gluten free diet to help manage her autoimmune disease to a sourdough enthusiast.

We all want to feel good. And we all want to eat food that tastes good…so what does that actually look like in real life? What is a “healthy” food? And, how do we strike that balance of nourishing our bodies and our souls?

Talking to amanda will likely change your perspective on the role of food work in your life….I know you’re going to love this episode!

About Amanda Paa:

Amanda is a passionate sourdough baker, digital brand owner, and seasoned recipe developer. She founded Heartbeet Kitchen in 2011, and has created a loyal following through her love of teaching others the magic of sourdough, as well as modern, real food recipes. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and 4 rescue cats and enjoys gardening, dinner parties, and renovating their 1908 home.

On this episode we chat about:

• How Amanda went from gluten free to sourdough enthusiast
• Why maintaining a sourdough starter is easier than you think
• Amanda’s secret for a more flavourful sourdough
• How fermentation alters the gluten and FODMAP structure of wheat
• Why grocery store sourdough might not be what you expect
• Why baking feels so therapeutic
• How sourdough has helped Amanda through anxiety
• How Amanda got into blogging and what it’s like to do it as a job
• Her tips for new bloggers
• Amanda’s lifechanging hack for proofing sourdough
• Sourdough troubleshooting tips

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