Everyone starts somewhere. I started with bread. As an average American, my mom had never baked bread while I was growing up. I forget what the first inspiration was (probably an episode of the Great British Baking Show - any other GBBS junkies out there?), but at some point I became curious and decided to give it a go.
Have you ever tried something for the first time and it turned out horrible? My first loaf was more like a rock than a loaf of bread. That thing was so dense it took a bodybuilder to cut it. Seriously, I skipped going to the gym because I'd had my workout.
For the second loaf, I looked up Paul Hollywood's recipe for a White Cob on his website. I followed his directions as best as I could, and it turned out considerably better. To say I was proud is an understatement.
I was so proud of that loaf that I baked it again and again, increasing my understanding of what was happening in the loaf each time. Fermentation is fascinating. I made the wheat version and observed how it absorbed water differently. I allowed more and less proving time to see how it affected the flavor. I started adding flavors like cinnamon and sugar, thyme, rosemary, and just started to enjoy myself. After getting pretty comfortable with it, I decided to challenge myself and try a different shape - the 8 strand plait.
My first plait looked like it was done by an 8 year old. Uneven, very large at one end and very small at the other. But it still tasted great, so it wasn't a total loss.
By this point I was hooked. I officially started telling people I am "a bit of an amateur baker" (with a certain air of accomplishment, I might add). The rest is history - new recipes, new ingredients, new baking cookbooks... I had found a new hobby passion.
What do you think? Do you remember how you first got into baking?
Mike
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