Trust me, I'm a Professional

Although what I'm doing is not technically a "real business" it doesn't mean I can't be professional. So I got myself a nice, new apron and oven mitts. Looking good! 

And here's my helper. She needs a bit more experience before I hire her on full-time. 

But at least I got it all done...

Like a pro. 

The Big Day

Update 1:

I mixed the rest of the ingredients with the starter. I'm already wary of it. It's so stiff and difficult to mix. I need to wait until it rises so I'll have a better idea soon. The crazy part is that the recipe calls for another 2 cups of flour and I barely got the the flour to mix in as it is! I may be looking for a new recipe. Wish me luck!

Update 2:

I'm feeling encouraged. After letting the dough rise, it seemed less stiff and much easier to work with. I even ended up adding some flour! Then I kneaded for while and shaped it into a loaf. Now I just have to let that rise then into the oven. So far so good!

Update 3:

The sweet sourdough success. Good news everyone, it turned out just fine. Nice crunchy crust on the outside and soft an fluffy on the inside. Very relieved. 

It was more work than I'm used to but it's a nice treat to have.  

Yum. 

Mad Scientist

Day 2: 

I'm feeling a bit like a mad scientist. Or some kind of medieval witch. I'm stirring this creation and I have no idea if it's working out or not. It's a frustrating thing not to have a frame of reference or something to compare it to. I know it's not supposed to be pretty and it's just a starter, but the doubts are starting to creep in. I'll not know whether this is all for not for another few days. I know there's only one way to learn, but I so hate wasting ingredients. I guess the worst case scenario is that I dump it all out and wash a bowl. And the best case scenario is a yummy loaf of sourdough bread and a new recipe to share. It took me years to perfect the bun recipe so I can't expect perfection with every new recipe. And it only Day 2. Like I tell my daughter, sometimes you just have to be patient. 

Starting the Starter

I'm trying something new today. I decided awhile back that I'd like to start experimenting with different types of breads. Well I looked around and I found a recipe for sourdough bread that I think I can handle. It requires a starter so I started that today. I've never done a starter so this should be a good opportunity to try. I've done the Amish Friendship bread before - where you get a bag of starter then pass it on to a few friends, but I've never actually started it from scratch. Should be interesting. It will take 3-5 days before the starter is ready so I'll do my best to keep you posted. In the meantime, this is what it looks like today. Kinda like a lumpy, gooish, glue. I'm sure it will look better once it all mixed together and baked!!

I added some links to different websites and blogs that I found interesting. The Links are found on the right of your screen. 

Order Up!

This was a big week for me. I was approached to provide cinnamon buns for our church's family camp. I was fairly confident until I learned it was for 10 dozen!! I took a deep breath and started baking. It took a couple days, but I got them all done in time to be sent up to camp. They were pretty well received but the funny part is, I didn't even have one. There was this oatmeal cake that was delicious with blueberries. It was my biggest test yet and while it was a challenge, it was a great opportunity. 

While I was at camp, I had the chance to talk with a lady who makes her own bread. She makes a variety of gluten free breads and cookies. It was great talking with her and hearing all the different ingredients she puts in her baking to get a good tasting and nutritious meal. I have been thinking about making bread. I used to have a bread maker but I found that unless the bread was freshly baked that day, I didn't like the taste of it. I remembered my mom used to make mini loaves out of the bun dough. So I gave it a shot today. Here's the first step....the dough....

After an hour of rising....

And the finished product....

Not too shabby. And delicious when eaten with meatloaf. So I'm taking to the Internet, and my old reliable Mennonite Treasury of Recipes to find some good bread recipes. There are a few good websites that I am excited to go through. I'd like to experiment with flaxseed and other herbs. And I'd love to find a good sourdough recipe. If I find anything good, I'll post the results. Who knows, maybe if it's successful enough, I'll put it up for sale as well - if there is any interest. I'm still going through my Christmas cookie recipes to see what I should put up. Now that the nights are getting cooler and school has started, it's time to accept that summer is over. Although with my oven tuned on nearly all day and the sun streaming through the windows, it sure felt like the middle of summer!