Baking Addiction? Can this be even possible? Hmmmm… let’s see about that! You’ll be the judge 😉
Hi Everyone,
Hope all is well for you all. It has been awhile since my last post. I have been exploring what to do next after my Bread Baking Journey. I plan to continue learning Asian Cuisine like Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino since my children love them.
I’ll be starting soon cake decoration and maybe baking fancy desserts lessons since travel is not that safe yet. Yes, some countries are open already for tourism but the travel requirements are also ridiculous! From hotel quarantine, PCR Travel test and more. I’ll rather wait for a little while… However, I did manage to travel north of Toronto over a week ago and I will be sharing it with you all very shortly.
Today, I would like to share with you all my journey to baking. From the start, relying on YouTube videos, online recipes and baking books, I am very excited to tell you that I have completed my journey towards Baking Like A Pro. In just about 17 months shy, I have learned so much about baking which is a lot more than I have expected and way more in my entire lifetime. When I was younger, I did bake here and there but it was just for the sake of baking.
Am I addicted to baking at all? Funny as it sounds but my children thought that I am!!! If you were to ask me, I don’t think so! Probably not? Maybe? For me, it’s just my passion for baking. Oh yeah! It’s just another hobby which definitely gives me the joy.
I am very proud to tell you that I am indeed a self-taught baker. I watched a lot of videos before baking and mostly, it’s a success with first attempt. The more time you spend on watching those professional bakers’ videos, the better and you’re more prepared to do it. Be very observant, patient and focus on every detail and techniques they used.
When I am baking and see the beautiful outcome, I giggle endlessly and find myself really happy! I am always excited especially when it is my first attempt. I couldn’t believe that it only took me 17 months to learn baking all types of breads. Now, I can bake breads without looking recipes and you bet, I don’t memorize recipes neither. But for sure, I can definitely bake breads without looking on recipes. Once you gain better understanding about the dough and its consistency and hydration ratio, it will be easier to adjust ingredients. What a bragging !!!!!
During my Baking Journey, I started collecting enameled or plain cast iron baking pans, dutch ovens and cooking pots. It started when I was learning how to bake sourdough when it required cast iron dutch oven. For sure, you can still make sourdough bread without dutch oven but the outcome is totally different. Using cast iron dutch oven definitely makes a big difference when it comes to the bread texture. Regardless if it is sourdough bread or just regular bread, I bake them using cast iron dutch oven.
For cooking, the cast iron cookware are great especially for slow cooking and frying. The heat is spread evenly and you’ll notice the difference compared to using stainless or regular non stick cookware. Meat are cooked faster, better taste, soft and moist. Definitely, they are another great kitchen investments.
I must admit that for sometime now, I am addicted to buying enameled cast iron bakeware or cookware. Whether you’re cooking or baking, I do recommend cast iron cookware. Why? They’re great and made to last for a lifetime if you take care of them well. Between enameled and plain cast iron, I’d prefer the enameled one when cooking since they’re easier to maintain. While the plain cast iron, you’ll need to season them every after use. But when baking bread, I prefer to use the plain cast iron. However, it’s really your preference what to use.
Anyways, addicted or not, I really enjoy baking. These days, if I am not watching movies or listening to music, I am on YouTube searching for great bread recipe ideas and tips about baking. I constantly look for great recipes for breads, pastries and cakes or desserts.
As I began my baking journey which started last April, 2020, I have decided to invest on kitchen and baking tools like stand mixer, enameled or plain cast iron pots and dutch oven, baking pans, utensils, etc. I started to appreciate them and their values and began exploring how to take care of them and make them last for a very long time or if possible forever like the cast iron dutch oven or stand mixer.
Overtime, I have learned so much about baking and the importance of getting the necessary and right tools. Yes, some baking tools are very expensive but I look at them as my kitchen investments or additions instead and honestly they really are. I don’t buy them all at once but instead one at a time and pick the best quality possible to last for a good lifetime! Do your research of the product before buying them.
I found these kitchen tools or equipment very important when it comes to baking: stand mixer, hand mixer, spatulas, food scale, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, oven thermometer, cooking or deep frying thermometer, baking pans and cooling rack, dutch oven and cooking books, etc.
Currently, I am researching for a good quality and good size Convection Toaster Oven with Air frying, Dehydrating and Rotisserie capabilities. Why? With convection oven, the preheating time is about 80% – 90% less than regular oven. Should you know a good one, please comment on this post. Should you have any questions with baking tools, please feel free to send me an email.
Since I have reached the end of my bread baking journey, I am looking forward for my next challenge: to learn on how to decorate cake for different occasions. Stay tuned!
Again, if I can do it, you can do it, too! Believe! All the best…
Amazing Grace, the Travelling Baker 