Breathe
By Nitza Masri
Christmas is that time of the year when the house smells of nostalgia, warm hugs and food made with love. It's when the family gets together, and between the cousins you haven't seen for ages and the aunt who always asks the same question ("when is the groom coming?"), we achieve the impossible: we all sit down at the table.
That table is the scene of the fondest memories. But, let's be honest, the usual bread is the one that ends up relegated to the corner of the plate, only to serve as a support for the main course. What if this year we give bread the place it deserves? Sourdough bread does not come to take away the protagonism of turkey, romeritos or cod, but to add to it. Because when good bread enters the equation, the meal is transformed, and the soul is comforted.
A bread that tells stories
Sourdough bread is like the wise grandfather of foods: it has been around for centuries, has character, is patient and knows that good things take time. Its slow fermentation not only gives it a unique flavor, but also makes it healthier and easier to digest. And if we talk about digestion, it is ideal, as its fermentation process improves nutrient absorption and intestinal health. But beyond the technical aspects, sourdough bread has a soul. It is a bread that is not eaten in a hurry; it is enjoyed, savored and shared.
And at a Christmas dinner, what more do we want? It's not about filling the plate, it's about feeding the heart.
How to show off at the table without making life difficult for yourself
Christmas doesn't have to be chaos in the kitchen (although we know it almost always is). Here are some ideas for sourdough bread to steal the show and the applause:
1. For baked turkey or leg:
Serve with a loaf of sourdough with herbs or nuts. You don't need more, the bread does the job of bringing out the juices and spices.
2. With the romeritos:
Try a plain loaf, with rosemary or olives. The spongy texture of the bread balances the intensity of the mole.
3. Biscayan style cod:
This is where a crusty baguette comes in. It's not for accompaniment, it's to soak up that divine sauce and make sure there's no trace left on the plate.
4. Dessert? Yes, of course:
Cinnamon rolls or a sourdough biscuit go perfectly with apple salad and even punch.
The magic of the table
The food, in the end, is a pretext. The important thing is the people in front of you, the laughter, the stories told and the toasts to what was and what is to come. The sourdough bread is not the center of attention, but it is that detail that makes everything make more sense, like the Christmas playlist playing in the background or the glass of wine that someone serves you without you asking for it.
In my family, bread is always at the center of the table. Not because I am "the owner of a bakery", but because I believe that bread represents what we all look for at Christmas: warmth, sharing and enjoying the simple things. This year, I would also like to toast to all the enterprises that, with effort, passion and dedication, are making their dreams come true. May this toast be for each of those moments in which persistence becomes success.
So this year, let the bread speak for you. May in each slice someone find a little piece of love and a memory worth keeping. Because in the end, Christmas is not in what we eat, but in who we share it with.
Merry Christmas and bon appetit.
By Nitza Masri, founder of Julieta's Bakery
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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