Sourdough starter. A very unique wedding present! but one I was thrilled to get even though it required me to try something new and set myself up for a possible culinary disaster.
I carefully took it home and fed it religiously until I found a free afternoon to give it a go.

The results - well you can see, much better than expected! For a recipe I went straight to Nigella's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' and the woman certainly delivers on her promise. The secret I think is the little extra yeast she adds to the mixture in addition to the starter.

In the process I came up with a little Stepford style secret of my own - when a warm place to rise the dough is proving (!) too difficult to find, do a load of washing, throw it in the dryer and place the rising dough in the laundry. It worked beautifully and the results made husband very happy - especially when slathered with butter and golden syrup!