With my current state [of joblessness], I have begun learning some tips and tricks to stave off my boredom and to fill my days with…well…things. While most of them is pretty innocent [building computers, learning about the stock markets, rekindling my love of marathon TV show viewings], there is one dark insidious act that I have previously avoided like the plague. “What is this darkness that has consumed him?” you may ask. Find out after the jump.
Those who have had some fortune in eating food I have prepared know that I am not a bumbling fool in the kitchen. However much I can broil, roast, steam or grill though, there is one elusive culinary art that has eluded me for years. This is the dark art of which I speak, and its name is Baking.
I’m never sure why I have had such troubles with baking, but all I know is that the typical result of my using the oven is charred, indistinguishable lumps. [Mind you, there were spots of successes every now and then...like that time I hand whipped meringue...] Still, with little to do during the days, I have started tackling the oven…and the results have been…mildly positive.
I baked not one, but two loaves of banana bread last week [using 2 different recipes], and I must admit, both of them turned out alright. They were even good enough to bring to her party this past weekend with some non-negative reviews. Needless to say, this has stoked my inner desire to continue this successful trend, and I am proud to announce that tomorrow night, I will attempt to make cinnamon buns. It’ll be so gooey and sticky…it will be simply scrumptious. If it’s successful, I might even take some to my sister when she moves in to UofT next week (and help her make a few friends that crucial first week).
Hell…if I’m successful with that…who knows what else I’ll make… Breads…pies…muffins…maybe even a cake… No! A Two-Tiered Cake! It will definitely be a new age for me and my kitchen.
Look out world! Things are only going to get sweeter from here on out.
Hold up on the two-tier cake. There are useful tools you need to make that work…and they’re not very cheap.
Multiple tier cakes require baking something flat (very difficult), or else baking something and then cutting it in half or at least in parts. This can be difficult to do and usually requires a cake knife so you get a clean cut.
Breads can be difficult, so I would recommend starting with muffins. Pies aren’t too bad. The easiest part is the filling. The trick is the crust. Apple pies are a good start because they can be simple to prepare (though tedious with all those apples).
Another good starting point is an apple crumble!
Sounds like fun (and scrumptious)! Have a blast. I’m the opposite of you. My baking is fine, the rest needs work.
When baking, keep a close eye on your creations. Ovens are tempermental and each one is different. So following a recipe to the letter won’t always work.
if you need help, I’m a pretty acomplished baker, specialty being pie crusts. My parents have this ancient 5-roses flour cookbook that has amazing recipies. Oh, and hold off on baking bread just yet. Kneading dough is a pain in the but, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, can make your bread turn out rock hard. Trust me on that one. >_>
But good luck! And congrats on the banana bread!
Breads can be actually the easiest kind of baking out there; what KIND really determines the difficulty.
Try a French bread (the simplest: yeast, salt, flour, water) and then go from there.
Heheh, I used to bake sponge cakes that could stop a bullet.
I should try again.
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