ways_back_room | Daily Entertainment

"My office is closed today because Boston," says the dark-haired woman in jeans and a red pyjama shirt. "I can't be arsed to get more dressed than this, but I've got sourdough pancakes for those who want some. I ate the bacon already, though."

"I've already got some waffles, but I won't pass up sourdough pancakes," says the woman who wanders over with her own plate. Dressed in a Dragon*Con blood donation t-shirt and purple pj pants with the predecessor of Grumpy Cat on them.

"No problem. I had to use up some of the starter from my recently acquired jar of pedigreed slime," says Cam. "Seemed like the best way. Got proper maple syrup here, too if you want."

"So much better than Mrs. Butterworths," Ali agrees, helping herself to a portion. "Thanks, Cam."

"Is this slime in the Ghostbuster's lineage or much more FDA approved?"

"One hundred per cent FDA A-OK. I just got it from King Arthur Flour. The catalog says this starter's original culture was in use in the 1700s and they've been feeding batches descended from it in New England ever since. So it's basically flourwateryeastsymbioticbacteria slime from a lineage older than the United States. Makes good bread, too."

...maybe I'll have some bacon.

"It's what's left of the Vermont maple brined and smoked bacon. I tend to cook it to Sam Vimes levels, fair warning."

Those are the only good levels.

God, I could use some bacon.

"Now I want bacon."

"Look what you've done."

"Explain to me these sourdough pancakes," says the other Cam. There's no confusing them in person; Cam2 has short strawberry-blond curls and dark eye circles to rival any Tim Burton character, and is dressed in a green hoodie, blue jeans, and an "I (Raincloud) Vancouver" shirt.

"No problem. Basically, they're pancakes made with a certain amount of sourdough starter in the mix instead of just water and/or milk. Sourdough starter is the mixture of flour, water, wild yeast, and symbiotic bacteria that people use to put the distinctive flavor and texture in sourdough bread. In order to keep it alive you have to take a portion of it out periodically and replace it with fresh flour and water, so generally it's recommended that you find a recipe to use the removed portion in. These are pancakes made from a cup and a quarter of flour, a cup of water, a quarter cup of dry whole milk- I didn't have regular milk, I need to go shopping- two eggs, some olive oil, some maple syrup, and about a cup of starter. Oh, and baking soda, baking powder, and salt."

"Well, that was... comprehensive," Cameo drones sleepily. "My dad keeps trying to foist sourdough bread upon me and I keep not liking it. Do the pancakes taste similar?"

"Now I know about sourdoughs." It's hard to sound enthusiastic while tired, and Cameo isn't particularly trying, but the knowledge isn't going to waste! Unless their brain fails to absorb it in the first place because of tired, anyway.

"Somewhat different. They're a little tangy, but sweeter. The bread probably has citric acid in it, anyway. A lot of places add some to bump up the sour taste." Cam makes a wry face. "Sorry. Baking geek."

Edited 2013-04-19 18:38 (UTC)

Cameo shrugs. "I collect whatever random little tidbits of knowledge I can get my hands on and retain... I don't like sour bread though."

"Might as well try the pancakes. I'll start with a fraction of pancake and then if I don't like it you can give the rest to somebody else."

The brown-haired woman on a nearby couch has jeans, bare feet, and a Wonder Woman t-shirt. It seemed a day for it.

"I've got waffles! And blueberries and maple syrup. The real stuff, obviously -- Grade A, but nobody sells B in the city."

Which is a darn shame.

Because this is Milliways (sort of), the layout is convenient for the waffle-maker and batter and all to be spread out across the coffee table in front of the couch.

"They do. Whole Foods. Unfortunately you have to buy the jug that costs nearly twenty dollars to get it, but it's definitely grade B and it lasts a good long time."

"Oh iiiiiinteresting." There's definitely some finger-steepling going on.

"If I don't think to get a smaller jug next time I'm in Vermont, I will totally investigate this possibility. Thanks!"

"Not a problem."

"Please don't make me say your words for you next time."

"Sorry, Ellen."

"It happens," contributes a twenty-something woman with tangled hair and an air of distractedly imparting wisdom, as she passes by. "Griping is occasionally of use."

"...Uh. Thanks, River."

"Ellen, you're welcome to waffles too if you want, but I kind of suspect you might find them too sweet with the syrup and all."

"Pancakes!"

That's all she gets out before pancakes are devoured.

"Have at it. There's enough of them. I halved the damn recipe and I'm still going to be eating leftover pancakes for days."

"Mrphumle."

Which is "my mouth is full"-speak for "Pancakes freeze if you wrap them in plastic wrap tightly enough."

"Oooh. Never tried that before- thanks for the tip."

*Nodnod.*

"Warm them up in a toaster or the regular oven, not a microwave," she adds, hand over her mouth so she's not seen talking with her mouth full. "Otherwise they're be chewy."

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camwyn - 2013-04-19 23:55 (UTC) - Expand