Bagels!!

   This was incredibly fun!  So my grandmother gave me these VHS tapes that she had recorded awhile ago with 'Baking with Julia' episodes on them.  And since I'm taking an extended break from cable (I was really addicted, no time for baking, and we just couldn't have that!), I have nothing to watch, so I popped one in and decided to see if it was good.

   It was her later show where she is in her late 70's and had co-hosts on.  A segment came on with this wonderful lady (will post her name later) that was making bagels.  And I was like, this sounds awesome and fairly easy to do.  So I was very gungho to do it.

  I got the cookbook with the recipe in it, also from my grandmother, and started the dough the night before.  Then in the morning I rolled them and added the ingredients.  I made 2 cinnamon raisin (funny enough, you don't have to add extra sugar just around 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/8 cup of raisins), 2 plain, and one potentially good parmesan and oregano.  We'll see if it turns out, I mostly just did it quickly because I wanted to make another flavor and just happen to have those ingredients.

   Another semi important thing too, you can use ground cornmeal in a pinch but it makes a really crunchy layer on the bottom of the bagel.  Which, if you like crunch I guess wouldn't matter, but it is much better to have the bigger cornmeal that usually comes on bagels.

   With the plain too, they had a nice teensie flavor of yeast.  I love the taste of yeast in rolls, so I like this feature.  I know some people don't like it, but it's only a small hint of it.  Especially if you add cream cheese or butter.

  The tops of the bagels in the picture are a little darker on the top because I put an egg wash finish on them (including the yolk), which I didn't mind, but the recipe calls for egg whites and water.  Eh.. it worked out and it tasted lovely, that's the important part.

   So I hope you got an itch to go make fresh bagels for yourself one day, they are delicious and well worth the trouble.  I have all of the ingredients anyway, and it's definitely better than spending lots of money on bagels at the grocery store!

The Know-How

Hello all,

   It's been awhile since I've actually posted anything on here besides just recipe posts.  Today I figured I'd say HELLO! and greetings to those that have viewed my blog.

    I hope you have enjoyed everything you've seen and that some of you have actually baked some of these things yourself.  Being an amateur baker I love when I can find new and interesting recipes from fellow bloggers that are just like me and are trying it for the first time.

 So I'd just like to say that I'm hoping to start really being vocal on this blog.  Not just recipes anymore.  One of the reasons that I have decided this is that I'd like to share with everyone (and mostly get advice/comments) the new project I'm starting.

Just a little backstory:

    I majored in Film Studies in college, and have since graduated, to find that not many people are hiring in my field.  So as many young fresh-out-of-college students are finding menial jobs to take up their time, and pay their bills, I have done just that.  I'm working at a restaurant here in Raleigh, and it's hard work, but it's suiting all of the needs I have for my bills and what not.  But I'm not really gaining many skills from it.

My project:

     I'be started a little baking home business.  Nothing big just to people in my neighborhood, and maybe at work.  But it would be something to occupy my time and it would make me feel like I'm doing something good.

    **  I know I'm probably saying exactly what you bakers and chefs out there know, but baking is such a passion for me.  It makes me feel good inside, and it calms me down after a stressful week, much like meditation would for others.  I love that people smile when they taste my pastries and it makes them happy or gives them something that brightens up their day.  It's a fabulous thing to be able to bring people that little moment of happiness in a crazy day.

    So I want to bake more.  I want to be able to bake for other people besides just coworkers.  And not to be rude but the money wouldn't be bad either.

   Working in the food industry is ok, but I'd at least like to be learning and practicing what I want to do in my free time: like baking.  AkA I'm trying to get a job that will be something I like doing and it will help me get better.

To get to the heart of the matter I'm going to teach myself how to master- class decorate cakes and cupcakes!    

  I will be practicing with different icings (because I want to find the best one).  I will also be making more gumpaste flowers and getting better with gumpaste.  This is where the comments and advice come in.  So as I go along here teaching myself and decorating the heck out of some cakes, if you'd like to send me a comment and get in your two cents, I'd love to hear it!

    I hope you all are having a great start to the week and will hopefully be posting soon.

Megan