Recap

So, the Ciabatta was fine.  I think making bread my hand is stupid, but I have this tendency to go exactly what the recipe says, so I mixed it by hand.  The salt was added last, of course, but it didn't get mixed in all the way because I was kneading by hand.  I like the crumb, although it could have been a little lighter.  But, I tend to think that about a lot of my bread.

The pistachio cake with apricots turned out well, expect for the sunken portion in the whole middle area :)  I need to believe myself when I think, "no, just a couple more minutes."  But, the apricots almost melt into the cake, giving it a pudding like texture.  The flavors marry very well and the sweetness of the cake is contrasted very nicely by the tartness of the fruit.  I like it by itself, although some whipped cream would be nice.  The whipped cream would definitely bring it to the dessert level, but the cake by itself would work as a breakfast cake. 

In class on Friday we did recipe development.  For reals, I created a recipe for cheesy sun dried tomato muffins.  They were so good by the end, but I think I need to do one more test.  Then, I'm going to publish  it on my family's blog because I think it's just that cool.  It definitely took some patience, and I don't think Steve would really be a fan because then we would be eating the same thing a lot.  It reminds me of Julia Child who was determined to cook every recipe until it was perfect.  I bet she spent a lot of time in the kitchen. 

This next week we're going out of town on Thursday, so I'm not going to bake for the sake of not wanting leftovers.  But, I got a new baking book and I want to make quite a bit of things before I bring it back.  Also, capstone.  OMG it's going to be intense.  But, I think it will be good.  I'll definitely be giving away a lot more stuff as I start working on recipes. 

This Week's Baking Stuff

This week I'm doing Ciabatta and a pistachio apricot cake.  I have the biga for the ciabatta mixed.  It needs to sit for 12 hours.  I thought tonight would be the perfect night to start bread, but tomorrow it's not a good day for baking, but I guess you just need to do it and work with it if you want to bake.  I have in the back of my mind that I've made Ciabatta before, but I don't remember.  It seems like it didn't turn out good.  But, I've never used a biga; I usually use a more liquid starter.  So, I'm excited to see how it turns out. 

I don't know when I'll make the cake, but I bought the apricots so it'll be this week.  I've had this recipe for over a year and I'm excited to finally make it.  Apricots have just come out and they're not bad in price, so I'm excited to use them over the next month or so.

I made jam!!!!!!  I just did it.  I went for it and followed some rules but not others and it turned out good.  Well, it set.  The flavor isn't as complex as I wanted it to be.  I did strawberry apricot with a shot of balsamic.  Mostly it just tastes like strawberry.  I definitely had the wrong ratio of fruit to make the apricots stand out, but I thought the balsamic would, but you can't really taste it.  Maybe if I put it in at the end it would be better.  Hmmm....

Sorbet and Sandwiches

The sorbet turned out okay.  I refroze it, but i think I stopped churning it too soon, it wasn't very smooth,  but maybe that was just the formula.  I decided I not really a fan of papaya; it smells funny, but I don't think I'll swear it off from working with it- it's just not my favorite.

The sandwiches were really good.  Ham and Havarti on a baguette with rosemary dill spread, lettuce and cucumber.  The spread could have used a little more kick from the herbs, but not much.  I like the chewiness of the bread, Steve drank water in order to chew it up enough :) 

One of the things I'm struggling with is creating a baking schedule.  I looked at The  Bread Bible again and realized how much good stuff is in it, but then I don't know when I'll do any of it.  I was pretty good last week about making stuff.  But, hearth bread takes time.  And then I don't know what I'm going to do with it.  I'm really in the mood for some good bread. 

A Tip

When you want to freeze ice cream the bowl of the ice cream maker needs to be completely frozen.  If you hear water don't think it's probably frozen enough to freeze your sorbet because it's not. 

Tropical Fruit Sorbet

I have the sorbet in the ice cream maker churning.  The papaya was succulent.  It cut like softened butter.  But, it smelled funny.  So, I don't know how I feel about it.  Of course, I didn't think to taste it before I started freezing it, so I hope it's okay.  I need to start tasting things.  I have an issue. 

Tomorrow Megan is watching Cadance while I'm in class.  I always like to bring something to say thanks because I can't pay, but I don't feel like baking anything.  I was going to buy some bread from Black Rooster, but I don't think I'm going to go until Saturday.

The Start

So today I had a thought, "You know, you've thought about doing a baking blog, but knew it wouldn't be that great or anything, but what if you did it as a journal."  I know that if I sit on an idea long enough it goes away so here I am.  So, this is a journal.  It's a place for me to talk about what's on my mind food wise and keep track of work I've done- good or not so good.  I was thinking baking originally, but I like to cook so there's no reason to force myself into only baking thoughts. 

What's on my mind: I'm going to do a pineapple papaya sorbet from Cooking Light magazine, which, speaking of, I need to put my ice cream freezer bowl in the freezer.  I've never worked with papaya.  I had no idea what I was looking for at the store, but it didn't seem to be rotting and it was slightly soft to the touch, so it can't be that bad.

I bought 4 pounds of strawberries and like 8 apricots from Sprouts.  I know we can't eat that much, but I get so excited in the produce section.  I think about how healthy I'm going to eat and all the things I can do with it.  Like strawberry apricot jam...with mint.  Why didn't I buy mint, or canning jars.  Also, I need an indoor grill so that I can do things like grill apricots or pineapple.

Ham sandwich with rosemary and dill spread.  Artichoke hearts? Cheese?  I'm going to buy bread from Black Rooster.