"easy" doughnut holes

I have been asked for doughnut holes again.  I really do not mind making them but when the request comes out of the blue, it can be more work then I wish.  But what if I am making bread anyhow?  And bread based on my the dough from my favorite hot cross buns or cranberry walnut buns?   Because sometimes that is the bread that is wished.

I rolled off 24 small balls of dough.  Let them rise.  And fried them at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they were golden and baked through.

I made a glaze from powdered sugar and milk with a touch of vanilla for these.  The household thought these were wonderful.  I still think the potato doughnut holes are better but that is me.  The recipe is very similar except for the addition of mashed potato.  But I have also been enjoying lefse more then tortillas lately.  My taste buds must have changed.

Easy?  Just because the bread was already being made.  And it made people happy.

the unexpected

Today has been full of the unexpected.  Nothing has gone to plan.  I could whine and complain.  I could be angry and frustrated.  Instead, I have laughed at myself a lot, figured out how to do what I need to do.  But there is always bread dough.  It is calming to make and in the end, there is food for people.  Especially boys.  What more can you ask for?

Due to boyos asking for cinnamon rolls about twice a month, if not every time I bake bread, my laminating skills are getting better.  There is no fear attached to the process anymore.  I do not wonder if I am doing it incorrectly or not.  I know the rolls will be light and tasty when I am done so why worry?

I am even going as far as just making a bit of a larger batch of bread for the rolls.  Sometimes I just make the loaf smaller.  

I use tools that other people would think is not the right tool for the job.  But my Japanese noodle knife is perfect for cutting cinnamon rolls.  It was made to cut noodles which is just dough.  You could think of cinnamon rolls as very wide noodles.

In the end, the cinnamon rolls are ready to bake.  I am a little bit calmer deep in my soul.  And the boyos are happy.  I am thinking about trying this with kouign amman tomorrow.  The simple French style bread I have been making is what is rising.  I made the batch just a bit larger then normal to try just that.  Laminations with butter and sugar to see what happens.

If you do not expermint.  If you do not try something new.  What is the point?

experimentation in dough

It has been an interesting week.  I actually felt like not getting on the computer.  Partially because I am in mid projects.  Partially because I have not had a lot of words.  I decided it is okay not to have words and I took a day off from my writing schedule.

I have been thinking about playing with a chocolate dough.  I follow a lot of bakers on Instagram and this type of bread comes up a lot on my feed.  I decided to play.  I felt the need to have my hands in dough.

I started with the most recent french style bread I wrote about.  Add a few different flours for depth of flavor and cocoa.  I am now waiting again!  And I am laughing. 

The bread will be baked sometime this afternoon or evening.  Late afternoon if afternoon.  The bread I make takes time.  Patience.  I was talking to a chef just about this on Monday.  I actually got an invite to work a stage with their bakery chef if I wish.  I told the chef he can always come here and I will work with him to make his bread better. 

I could give him my secrets for hummus as well.  Even though the restaurant he works as has one of the two best hummus' in the city, the boyos think mine is better.  But mine is not topped with braised lamb neck which they really liked.  I am going to have to figure that one out.  I have a butcher shop I will wander to some day soon.

Writing a bit about my Monday, it may come to know surprise that I am acquainted with people who knew Anthony Bourdain.  I did not know the man even though I admired his work.  I do know that his death has affected a community larger then the professional chefs and foodies. 

I have dealt with depression.  I know the reasons behind it but that does not always make it easier.  I have no good advice to anyone in the talons of depression or who wants to help.  I find people wish to be seen.  That smile.  That word can make a difference.  A cup of tea brought to them.  A bowl soup.  A bit of bread.  Obviously I feed people.  But I have noticed when I am out and about that saying Good Morning or hello makes a difference.  When I have fallen, it is the homeless man on the corner who I say hello to who picked me up.  Not the office workers.  I saw him.  I acknowledged him.  This may not be enough stop someone you love to not harm themselves.  But it may be enough for when they decide they need help they can reach to you.  And they will know they are seen.  They are loved.

hands in dough

I have needed my hands in dough. 

I have not been very inspired to try new things in the kitchen this summer.  It may be the heat.  It may be that I am tired.  We keep running hard and I caught a cold after Indianapolis.  It may be that I just need my hands in more yeasty dough.  Get the creative juices flowing.

Main dishes have seemed to be centered around fish and veggies.  My Beloved and the Small Mister can eat fishes every day of the week.  No one seems to be very interested in sweets.  A single cookie.  A glass of chocolate almond milk (both of the boyos like this!).  A mug of hot sweet tea.

More hands in dough!