Like many of you, I too have been baking since the Covid-19 lockdown. Okay, perhaps I should say that I have been baking more than normal, with my friends and neighbours being the beneficiaries.
Do you have a list, or perhaps lists of things that you’ve been meaning to make or try making? I do. I have lists (laugh) but never the time. However, amidst facilitating online classes and grading assignments, I find myself making the time to bake. It breaks up my daily routine and focuses my attention in a way that few other things can. Baking demands your attention because of the precision in terms of weight and temperature of ingredients, methods preparation, oven temperature control and cook time and resting or cooling time when baking is complete. For many I know that it can be nerve racking, however, I find baking to be relaxing and rewarding.
You may have heard me say this before, I am not a big bread eater and by that I simply mean that it is something that I do not eat regularly, only when my mind calls for it and that is not often. However, making bread is one of the things I love to do most in the kitchen. I think it is the kneading of dough my hand, feeling the texture change with each fold and the elasticity of the dough as the gluten relaxes, stretches, and become smooth.
