How It Started:
In the beginning of the semester (Spring 2013), I made a few promises with a soon-to-be friend.
- I would bake for her (since I bake...)
- I would bike with her to the local flea market (since she likes to get her produce there)
- We would bake bread together (since she has been learning lately)
Simple, right?
Why It Started:
Since I've essentially completed the BS in Biological Sciences that I've been pursuing, I figured that it was time to start integrating into the physics realm as I pursue a BS in Physics over the next two semesters. I thought that baking would be a good way to make friends (and it seems to be working!).
What It Started:
Those promises were made about two months ago. Incidentally, the latter two have yet to be fulfilled {due to time conflicts (house meetings), shifted prioritization (studying for midterms) and unexpected events}. However, I'm sure they'll be addressed. One day.
After baking for her, as promised, I was met with positive remarks (from labmates, friends, and associated physics peers) indicating that I should bake more in general. Since then, I've baked every Sunday and I've spent my Mondays running around in attempt to distribute the goods.
Today in particular, a lot of people (peers, professors, strangers) mentioned that I should either start photoblogging my baked goods, sell my goods to clubs or other students, and consider taking baking as a potential career. I haven't received such a high volume of positive feedback in such a short amount of time before. In response to their feedback, I plan to document my weekly baking and sharing sprees.
Baking Theory
Although I haven't surveyed people, I'd like to believe that many perceive baking to be a refined and delicate art. I'm sure there are many instances where baking can be shown to be a fine art, but I seem to lack that delicacy.
For me, it's not about having the cleanest cuts or most perfect measurements. Although I do try to be careful, I'm not worried about precision. I bake because I love being able to invest my time into a good and being able to share my invested time with others. Baking for others, in essence, is how I show people that I care about them.
It is for this reason that I will do my best to make everything by hand and I will minimize the use of store-bought items as much as possible. If a recipe calls for fondant, I'll make fondant. If a recipe calls for phyllo dough, I'll make phyllo dough.
Baking With a Hammer?
Although it would be nice to have fancy equipment such as a food processor or mixing stand, everyone doesn't have one. However, that doesn't mean that the line is drawn on baking! Delicious desserts can in fact be made from scratch in an under-equipped kitchen. It may make the means may be slightly more primitive, such as using a hammer, but don't let that stop you!! I believe that if I can bake, many other people can as well if they wanted to. Just start small and work your way up!
Even though I say that I have a relatively primitive kitchen, I have slowly been equipping it with more and more tools over time. Although they were cheap when I purchased them, the growing list of specialized equipment that I have include: a handmixer, a candy thermometer and a kitchen scale. Also, the house where I reside already had an assortment of bakeware (cookie sheets, molds and wooden spoons, etc) when I came in, which saved me from making extra purchases. Even if you don't have everything, it is still very possible to improvise.
Even though I say that I have a relatively primitive kitchen, I have slowly been equipping it with more and more tools over time. Although they were cheap when I purchased them, the growing list of specialized equipment that I have include: a handmixer, a candy thermometer and a kitchen scale. Also, the house where I reside already had an assortment of bakeware (cookie sheets, molds and wooden spoons, etc) when I came in, which saved me from making extra purchases. Even if you don't have everything, it is still very possible to improvise.
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