Baking Flops

As you all know by now, I do NOT consider myself much of a baker. I have had my fair share of attempts over the years and after an epic failure I vow NEVER to bake again and then some “bug” bites and then I “challenge” myself to give it another go!

Now these “failures” date back to high school and Home Economics. My classmates could tell you stories of hilarious moments and then when I was in college, the results were no different, that of epic failure! Now it is not all doom and gloom as I did go through a very successful phase after college, when I baked beautiful breads and baked Alaska’s which if you are a baker, know that it is not the easiest thing to do! As I am writing this I am reminded of my pre-high school days when I baked yummy cookies, so it really must have something to do with certain periods of my life! I am no psychoanalyst or conspiracy theorist, but I do wonder if my “state of mind” has anything to do with it?

Otherwise I am quite a whiz in the kitchen, but let me rather not blow my own horn just in case I am put under pressure, am forced to cook for masses and then things go belly-up! I guess in a chef’s kitchen I would NOT be put in the pastry or bakery section, but for sure in the cold and hot and I am OK with that!

This morning after watching YouTube conspiracy theories on COVID19, do not ask me why, a friend sent it to me, the baking “bug” bit. I had to take stock of what I had in my pantry and after a few Google searches decided on the South African favorite, Hertzoggies. = apricot jam and coconut meringue tartlets, a Justin Bonello recipe. It sounded super easy to make and I must confess that it was, despite getting flour all over the counter, the floor and myself as I rolled away my pastry. Initially I was worried about the thickness of my pastry as I rolled it out and then used the cookie cutter (was surprised to find out that I had one of these) to put in my muffin pan, as I seemed to have more dough despite what the recipe had indicated. Now since I am not generally a baker, I do not own very many baking utensils in the form of muffin, cookie, cake or bread tins. After filling my muffin tin and having tons of dough left I was forced to use normal baking sheets for the remainder of the dough. Next the jam was scooped in, followed by the coconut meringue topping. Into the oven it went and as you can tell by the photo it is extremely important to actually have the correct cooking utensils and take the tartlets out the oven as soon as the bell rings! I had a mixed bag of success. The muffin tray came out beautifully despite being slightly browner than what I wanted them and as for the baking sheet, instead of beautiful individual tartlets

I had one big tart with apricot jam oozing out everywhere. Not a complete failure, since they were slice-able, however the point was proven on the importance of having the correct utensils especially when you are a bit of a disaster as it is! “Failures” like this, are not good for the ego, despite the taste! I was always told that we also eat with our eyes, so food always has to look good too!

I came across a chocolate and coconut cake, but do not own a cake tin, so it is probably just as well I did not attempt it! Who knows, what that disaster will do to my ego, although in saying that, even a failure is a success! It teaches us to persevere and keep on trying until we eventually get it right, like my Healthy Makeover Brownies.

A few days ago a friend did ask whether or not I thought that she could buy measuring cups and a muffin tin or would that be considered non-essential items? Mr President, since you are now not allowing the purchasing of freshly baked bread, forcing us to make our own, surely these utensils must be considered as essential! In order for me to practice, I need my utensils!

I am told that I need to come out of lock-down with a skill and dammit, I want it to be baking, especially whilst we still have electricity!

Until next time, keep on practicing!

Love, light and positive change

Ophelia