Easter Buns & Masks

A very Happy Easter to you all! 

My hope is that you had a wonderful weekend full of joy, love and peace (and delicious food) despite the separation from loved ones and eating over Zoom calls. 

This weekend I decided I needed a little break from the 'new norm,' so rather than pick up my phone and other devices constantly, checking the latest posts and scrolling through hundred of pictures of Easter paraphernalia, I decided instead to dedicate my time & energy into some new sourdough projects (again). After a very exhausting outing in London on Thursday, making bread deliveries, doing farm pick ups, and making a Costco (more-then-a -pit-stop) trip, that's when it hit me; I need a break! I came home with a car load of shopping that day (for multiple people) and spent the next hour disinfecting every item that came into my house, all the knobs I touched in the process of unloading, and finally a good car wipe down. My "I've had enough" meter was through the roof and poor Shawn got a good ear full as I unloaded and grumbled the entire time! Once I finally changed, cleaned myself up, and started to come down from whatever those feelings are from a simple trip-out-of-the-house to-get-supplies feeling, I apologized to Shawn. I think it's time for a TIME OUT! Then the idea came to me; this year Easter is going to provide me with a perfect time to power down...

Thursday evening, falling into bed exhausted, the idea came loud and clear: Friday is going to be "FB free Friday!" It felt so good by the end of the day Friday (and passing out at 8:30pm!), I decided to do a repeat on Sunday too. So here is a few of the projects I tackled after making a conscious decision to unplug and use my new found freedom:)

Friday morning I woke early to start on the newest project: baguettes. Now, I have attempted this project in the past without much success, and was hoping with my improved breadmaking skills, I would be ready for the challenge once again. Let's just say, sometimes you win some, sometimes not so much. However, the best part? Still edible and incredibility delicious despite another failed attempt. 

Early Friday morning, things looked and felt very promising.

 Confidence was high and distractions were limited. 

An hour after mixing the dough for the baguettes, a few classic loaves, another batch of Russian Rye loaf, and yet another round of cinnamon bun (because Easter is a special occasion); I decided to take on another quick project and made up a batch of homemade Raspberry Jam. When I say quick, I really mean it! In just 15 minutes, you've got yourself some fresh homemade jam. 

*If anyone would like the recipe, I'd be happy to share;) 

When Saturday morning rolled around, I jump out of bread - I mean bed - thinking about all the dough that was needing my attention that day. First things first; coffeeeee. So now that I was somewhat caffeinated, I looked carefully over the instructions (and watch a few videos) in preparation for the baguette shaping. Once the initial mixing and folding took place (Friday), the dough went into the fridge overnight to further ferment and was then shaped the next day. Oh, did I mention it takes two days to make baguettes?!

Coffee and Baguette shaping at 7am

Hmm, not exactly the shapes I was going for...
I'm going to need a lot more practice if I'm ever going to make it as a true baker.

You know what was shaped well and turned out amazing? Cinnamon Buns!!! 
Waking early on Saturday morning, these beauties were looking lovely and ready to be baked. 

Rise and bake. Saturday morning breakfast treat!

After letting the baguette dough rise for another hour, the series of disasters began. The instructions were to remove the baguettes carefully from the well floured cloth onto another well floured surface using a shuffling motion; score them, and then carefully place them onto a hot preheated baking sheet. In my attempts to "shuffle" the dough from one surface to another, the dough began to look like a game of twister. It was sticking to the cloth, getting twisting around one another, was flopped onto the "well floured" cutting board and finally, gave up all forms of life after landing on the hot sheet. *ugh*

'Nuf said.

However, even with another failed attempt, they still tasted delicious!

It didn't stop Shawn from diving in several times, smearing the flatten baguettes with butter 

after finishing off a hot cinnamon bun.

...and in case you ever wondered, my husband is well fed!

Even the most seasoned of bakers struggle with making baguettes. This is why the recipe is placed at the end of The Sourdough School cookbook; stating that they are the most challenging sourdoughs to make. In my newest Sourdough Cookbook, the writer and baker also struggled with making baguettes in the beginnng writing that "early attempts resulted in misshapen pieces of dough so ugly and so un-baguette like that they could not be labelled as such." Sounds about right...
She called hers "Finchley Sticks" and quickly gained fans - who asked for them every week!

Finchley sticks (Modern Sourdough)

Next time mine flop, I'll stick some olives in them too;)

On Saturday afternoon, after all my baking was complete, Shawn and I loaded the car with groceries for my sister's family in Toronto. Upon arriving in the city, Shawn suddenly gets really excited, "Can we order Sushi?!" One of our favourite spots is just around the corner from their house, and lucky they were open. After a quick porch visit and drop off, I was happy to be back home, not having to dirty the kitchen again, and enjoying one of our favourite meals on the sunny front porch. 

First take out in over a month! Ah sushi - we missed you.

All in all it was a great, relaxing, food filled Easter Weekend. Exactly what I needed in times such as these. #thankful

xoheather

Here's the mask part of "Buns & Masks." This is my new look. 

I now have a series of protective gear when heading out the groceries stores. I'm thinking my "soap maker" look might permit me more space around others. 

*Opening photo: my trip to Costco on Thurday. Mom texted saying "Be safe" so I snapped a photo to assure her I was doing my due diligence:)