My Baking Resolution

They say there are two types of people: cooks and bakers. I've always leaned towards baking, first because of my early sweet tooth, second because I liked the precise measurements and methodology baking requires. There are some things I'm anal about; baking is one of them.

After my move to LA in December 2009, I wasn't baking as much as I'd liked. Part of it was the whole adjustment period (new job, new city, blah blah blah), part of it was I didn't have the same equipment in LA as when I was living at home, and part of it was I just didn't put in the time. I made a few things here and there, most notably mini cheesecakes, cupcakes (red velvet was most requested), and a few creme brulees, but I didn't make things frequently enough to feel like my hobby was merited. Does that make sense? It's 2:40 in the morning right now.

Let's say you ask a guy what his hobbies are, and he says, "Oh, I love snowboarding." But he only goes once every other season. It's like that.

Anyway, I decided in 2011, one of my resolutions would be to bake more. I really want to pick the hobby up again, plus I've found in the past few years my baking preferences have shifted. It used to be all cupcakes, all the time. And then it turned into trying to recreate everything I liked when I dined out. Now it's more like let's try a little of everything, cake decorating in particular. I've accumulated a nice little collection of baking books; it'd be a waste to not attempt some of the recipes.

So there you have it. I'm going to attempt to bake at least four times a month in 2011, and I'll post everything here, be it success or failure.

Oh - and if you're wondering what I baked in January. I made hotok (Korean pancake filled with brown sugar and stuff) twice: once from a ready-made box, and once from scratch. Brian, the ever supportive boyfriend liked both, but I preferred the box version myself. And I made Candied Bacon:

and Maple Bacon Croissant Bread Pudding. It was good stuff.

More posts to come!