Back From the Dead

Legion was ailing.

The rise time was getting longer and longer, and Legion didn't smell right. At first, it was more sour, but then it started to smell...off. It still made bread, but not very good bread. I wasn't sure if I should give up and start over. I mean, Legion is 9 years old. Maybe it was time?

Recently I was lucky enough to be at an event catered by the culinary school, and got to see the Chef who had given me Legion and still had the original culture. We chatted and I learned some things. Things like - don't leave it in the fridge. Feed it more often. It needs to be stronger.

So I followed his advice and started dumping out starter, feeding it a smaller amount daily, and keeping it on the counter, with the lid slightly off to give it more oxygen. After a few weeks, it lost the funky smell. Finally I felt like it was ready for bread so over the past weekend, I made a batch. 

And it was as good as I remembered, with normal rising and proofing times. I think I have been successful in resurrecting Legion!