When I was a kid, my mother always had a batch of Herman in the fridge.  For those of you who aren’t children of the 80s, Herman is a sourdough starter, similar to the Amish Friendship Bread making its rounds today.

Hermon lives in the refrigerator (or sometimes on the counter), and you feed him milk or water, flour, and sugar at regular intervals.  You then bake with him and can share him and his recipes with your friends.  Baked goods from Herman can’t be beat!  The taste is fabulous, and he’s pretty frugal, too!

Back in the 80s, my mother received a Herman starter from a friend, but was quickly disappointed by the lack of recipes he came with.  She experimented with traditional baking recipes, as well as researched various sourdough recipes.  This was before the internet was mainstream in homes!  She did her research the old fashioned way - by pouring through old cookbooks and testing the results on her willing and eager family.

Her friends and family loved the results so much that she put together “Herman’s Helpmates” - the collection of recipes she uncovered through research and perfected through trial and error.  She created the little drawing of Herman, and typed up her recipes on individual note cards and bound them together for family and friends.  “Herman’s Helpmates,” along with a jar of starter Herman, became favorite Christmas gifts one year!

I forgot all about Herman, but I did remember this wonderful pumpkin roll my mother used to make.  We could not duplicate it, nor could we find the recipe.  One day, my mother discovered an old binder, soot covered and obviously salvaged from the house fire 12 years ago.  It was her master copy of  “Herman’s Helpmates!”  We were so excited!  We immediately photocopied all the pages and made packets for myself, my 2 brothers and sister.  Mom has made the pumpkin roll and it was exactly as I remember it - yummy, smooth, creamy, and absolutely perfect.

I am going to start a weekly column in Mainely Mom devoted to Herman and his wonderful recipes.  In my next post, I will give you the recipe to make your own Herman starter, and the directions to care for him.  (Notice how Herman takes on a personality all of his own!)  I will also share some of my mother’s words regarding Herman.  They are a joy and truely add to the wonderful experience of caring for your own Herman.

Please share your comments with me!  My mother is thrilled to know that I am sharing Herman with all of you!