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.