SOUTH AFRICA, Jan 15 — I have always loved cooking, and even though I say it myself “I have a certain flair”, but at baking I have always, well…… stunk.I never baked anything creative as the only predictable thing about my fare was; it was going to be … less than good!I was talented at spoiling the end product in the most imaginary ways possible, from not preparing the ingredients well enough to trying sooo… hard that I end with a stone and not a cake.Do any of these disasters sound familiar? Well I have the dubious record of having created them all and on many occasions a combination of a few.• To cold and a sinkhole appears or a half brick
I
have always loved cooking, and even though I say it myself “I have a certain flair”, but at baking I have always, well…… stunk. I never baked anything creative as the only predictable thing about my fare was; it was going to be … less than good! I was talented at spoiling the end product in the most imaginary ways possible, from not preparing the ingredients well enough to trying sooo… hard that I end with a stone and not a cake.
Do any of these disasters sound familiar? Well I have the dubious record of having created them all and on many occasions a combination of a few. Here goes, do you recognize these? • The centre of your cake making like a sinkhole? • A speckled crust, that makes you wonder; did this cake have some ailment underway before you met each other? Measles maybe? • Tunnels, yes can you believe it? Someone placed a handful of phantom earthworms in my beautiful cake while it was cooling! I still have not seen those phantom earthworms, but their handiwork is a masterpiece. • Cracked crust, resembling a salt pan in the dry season? • A solid, heavy, half size brick?
At this point I can cheerfully say “chin-up, and cheer up, help is at hand” a dear old lady saw my plight, took pity on me and gave me some trips I now religiously follow and I can declare; I bake a reasonable cake now. My good fortune is yours … take heed … here goes …
Measuring: • Measure your ingredients well – follow the recipe to the letter or you could end with a sinkhole, tunnels or a half size brick. Mixing: • Fold your flour in with care, in other words gently. If not, a half size brick. • Make sure the sugar you add is sifted and stir until it is dissolved properly into the dough. If not a speckled crust or even worse a half size brick is your reward. • Once you start stirring or beating. Don’t get to vigorous! Be gentle, stir well, all must be properly mixed but not killed! If you get to much air in, you will end up with a speckled crust (air floating to top while baking and then drying out the crust) or the phantom earthworms will be at work, tunnels, tunnels and more tunnels. • If you mix your dough and it feels to stiff (take a look at your measurements again) or you might have a cracked salt pan or a brick on your hands. • The yeast or rising agent must be well worked into the mixture, if dry ingredient; sift it with the flour and if wet; stir, gently but well. If not; hello earthworms! Oven: There are two rules here, set your temperature and DON’T put the cake in the oven until the temperature has reached its setting • To hot and you have earthworms again, or the saltpan in the dry season. • To cold and a sinkhole appears or a half brick. And the second it set the baking time and DON’T be tempted to “look” before the alarm goes. • If you peek, you might end up with a sinkhole • If you take it out of the oven before the due time, a definite sinkhole!
Communicate directly with Hester-Lynne Murdoch, the author of this article. Ask questions, send suggestions, comments, engage in conversation, or perhaps you would like to submit a project.
Click Here to ask a question, send a comment, or proposal.
For that all important day when you walk down the aisle, everything has to be perfect—the dress, the decorations, the flowers, the music and of course, the cake. Most brides would opt for the typical pristine white, three-tiered cake, but it&rs
Organic coffee beans are perfect for you if you love to drink coffee and you want something which will never cause a lot of harm to your health. Bear in mind that most coffee beans contain caffeine which is a psychoactive stimulant.
Premium Australian Wines for Australia and the World
In the past year, total wine sales in Australia increased from $3.1 billion to $3.2 billion; however, wine export volume decreased. Although there was a decrease in the export
Spring is here and summer is on the way – the perfect time to find an outdoor caterer for all your summer events.
What events are you planning this spring? Weddings, BBQ’s, Picnics, corporate events, High tea or hog roasts? Getting
The North of India is a vast region consisting of 11 different states, each with its own distinct culture. Each region also has its own specific recipes and cooking styles, and the differences between North Indian cuisines are, at times, very
Pizza is word that makes us hungry. It’s crispy crust, melted cheese pooled on top of the ingredients and a heavy taste of pizza sauce. Distinct flavors in every bite.
You are going to make a good pizza only when your imagination
Dish Network Customers will now be able to enjoy The Cooking Channel . The Cooking Channel is the replacement for Fine Living Network . The network is a spinoff of Food Network , but will focus more on instructional shows rather than "reality st
Nowadays health is one of the most concerned issues of the world. Our health is connected to the food that we eat. It is seen that most of the farming depends on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Food produced from such soils may affect your healt
The safe food handling is extremely important to avoid the disease causing germs, such as Salmonella and E.Coli causing illnesses that can be very devastating even fatal. Food borne illness is usually caused by improper handling, prepara
You are a weight watcher and presently following a low carb diet. Or you could be on such a diet for other health reasons. Yet, you dream of desserts and wonder whether there is a low carb dessert recipe out there which can satisfy your craving for s
I have always loved cooking, and even though I say it myself “I have a certain flair”, but at baking I have always, well…… stunk. I never baked anything creative as the only predictable thing about my fare was; it was going to be … less than good!
Dating is good, it is meant to be fun and nice, it is also meant to be done with caution:
Humans were created to be couples; we have the need to be together, whatever your preferences are. We seek to socialize in friendship groups, family grou
The Purr It is no longer a new concept to use cats as therapy animals in retirement homes, nursing homes or convalescent hospitals, research had proven that it makes a real difference in the lives, and reduces blood pressure especially in older pe
Herbs for that wondrous bathroom Scented Waters indulgence
The bathroom and the time we spend in it are important for so many reasons. Besides the usual short visits, we spend time there cleansing and reviving our body and inner person. This i
Syndication
tweet
PDF version
Printable version
Publisher HTML version
Discussions (0)
Email Article
Post New Comment