Menus By Maria

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🎉

We’re celebrating our sourdough love with a special giveaway! One lucky winner will receive:

✨ A Menus by Maria tote bag
✨ A freshly baked sourdough bread - classic

How to enter:
1️⃣ Follow
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag 3 friends in the comments (each tag counts as an entry!)
4️⃣ Bonus entry: Share this post to your story and tag us

📌 Giveaway ends: March 5
📌 Winner announced: March 5
📌 Open to: Toronto only / local pickup only!

Good luck, and thank you for supporting Menus by Maria! 💛

Fresh gluten free 🫐 and 🍋 tea biscuits right out of the oven
Get yours today
Sold frozen only so you can have fresh tea biscuits anytime of day!!

Sourdough Bread: 24–30 Hours From Start to Finish

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the timeline that creates that deep flavor, perfect crumb, and crisp crust — all through time and natural fermentation.

6:00 AM – Feed sourdough starter
10:00 AM – Mix flour, salt, filtered water, and starter
10:30 AM – 1st fold
11:00 AM – 2nd fold
11:30 AM – 3rd fold
12:00 PM – 4th fold
12:00–5:00 PM – Proof on the counter
5:00 PM – Shape into bannetons and cold proof in the fridge

NEXT DAY 7:00–8:00 AM – Preheat oven to 500°F

8:00 AM – First bake
8:40 AM – Remove from oven
8:40–10:00 AM – Cool on the counter

The secret isn’t just the ingredients — it’s the time, patience, and natural fermentation that bring sourdough to life.

Sourdough Bagels, done right

Naturally fermented for flavor and texture, our sourdough bagels have that signature chewy bite with a depth of flavor you can’t rush. Made with simple ingredients and time-honored methods, they’re perfect toasted, topped, or enjoyed just as they are.

Thoughtful fermentation. Real ingredients. Everyday comfort.

More sourdough, more flavor

Two more inclusions we love:
🍒 Cranberry & walnut — a perfect balance of subtle sweetness and nutty crunch
🍅 Sun-dried tomato & green olive — savory, bold, and Mediterranean-inspired

Thoughtfully folded into our naturally fermented sourdough for depth, texture, and flavor in every slice.

Which one would you choose?

Love is in the air — and in the oven!

This Valentine’s Day, share something made with care. From naturally fermented sourdough to gluten-free treats crafted with intention, every bite is a reminder that the best way to say I love you is through thoughtful food.

Because love should be simple, honest, and shared.

Sourdough, with a twist

One of our favorite inclusions? Sicilian black olives. Rich, savory, and perfectly balanced, they add depth and character to every slice of sourdough.
Thoughtfully folded into the dough for bold flavor without overpowering — simple ingredients, elevated.

🍞 Benefits of Sourdough Bread

Sourdough isn’t just about flavor — it’s about function. The natural fermentation process helps break down starches and proteins, making sourdough easier to digest for many people. It can also support better nutrient absorption, thanks to reduced phytic acid during fermentation.

With its naturally rich flavor, satisfying texture, and often lower glycemic response, sourdough is a thoughtful choice for those seeking quality, tradition, and balance in their bread.

Stages of Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread
Great gluten-free sourdough starts with patience, care, and simple ingredients. Here’s how ours comes to life:

1️⃣ Sourdough starter
Made with brown rice flour and filtered water

2️⃣ First rise
Natural fermentation develops flavor and structure

3️⃣ Shaped into a banneton
For form, texture, and a beautiful crumb

4️⃣ Baked
Crisp crust, soft and flavorful inside

5️⃣ Sliced
Ready to enjoy — naturally gluten-free
Thoughtfully made from start to finish.

🥖 Real sourdough vs “sourdough” — how to spot the difference
The easiest way? Check the ingredient list.

Real sourdough is made with simple, honest ingredients — flour, water, salt, and a natural sourdough starter. No shortcuts. No additives.
At Menus by Maria, our sourdough is made using just:
• Organic unbleached flour
• Filtered water
• Sea salt
• Sourdough starter (made from water & flour)

If you see yeast, conditioners, sugars, or long ingredient lists — it’s not true sourdough. Simplicity is the standard.

🌾 Why is sourdough so popular?

Sourdough has stood the test of time thanks to its
naturally fermented process, rich flavor, and satisfying
texture. The long fermentation helps improve digestibility,
supports better nutrient absorption, and often results in a
lower glycemic response compared to conventional
bread.

Simple, traditional, and thoughtfully made — it’s no
surprise sourdough continues to be a favorite.

Click on the link in bio to order or visit us
https:/ /menusbymaria.com/products/sourdough