The Bake Shop

Have you ever thought about the function of an egg? I mean think about it. Why do we add eggs to nearly everything in the bakeshop? Because, eggs are used as emulsifiers in your batter. What do I mean by that?
Most of you know that oil and water do not mix. This is true no matter what the shape or form these two substances take. In salad dressings this is called a "temporary emulsion" where you take two things that don't mix and beat them into submission with a whisk. However, no matter how fiercely you beat them, oil and water will never mix unless there is an emulsifier or binder. How does this apply to the bakeshop? Think of the basic creaming method for making a cake. You start with butter and sugar. The butter is your fat, and the eggs you will add later contain water. The sugar and flour act as your emulsifier or as the binder that takes a "temporary emulsion" and makes it a "permanent emulsion". Which is why some recipes tell you to alternate your wet and dry ingredients. because, if you add both wet and dry ingredients at once your emulsion will break and cause your cake to "curdle". In the words of Alton Brown "This is not good eats". :)
Why all the talk of emulsions? Because it's important. Now, let's talk about eggs.

Eggs consist of the following 4 parts:
Shell
Yolk
White
Chalaze

The chalaze is the filmy white chord like thing that comes out of the shell when you crack an egg. The longer the chalaze the fresher the egg.
In the bakeshop eggs:
Add structure to cakes
Makes the batter smooth
Yolks serve as fat and eggs
Add moisture (because eggs are made up of 75% water)

And these are just its function in cakes. So it's true, every ingredient serves a purpose and has its own job. Kind of like the body of Christ, we need each other in order to function well. Otherwise we are made up of all Hands, or all eyes. Or, to apply it to cakes, we can't all be flour, or baking powder, vanilla, or eggs. We each have to be a separate ingredient or the cake won't turn out or taste good.
Speaking of cakes...we start decorating cakes in Cake Decorating class Monday so I will try and post pictures then. So, dear readers, what is your favorite cake?
Well, I hope this lesson on emulsions and eggs has helped you to understand, a little better, what goes on in the baking of a cake. In the words of Julia Child, "Bon Apetite".

God is in Control

Ever have one of those days where you looked up at God and asked,"What in the world are you up to?"
Yeah. Me too.
Today, I went for an interview/meeting at a restaurant and had a discouraging interview, but a wonderful lunch. The interviewer seemed taken aback when he found out that I haven't worked in a restaurant. After I explained what I wanted/needed he seemed very reluctant to even consider hiring me. Needless to say I came home discouraged. I am convinced that God has called me to the culinary field. However, I just wonder what He is up to. Because, while I am taking culinary classes, He has provided a baking job for me. It's like I am holding two threads of two different colors. I'm being told to plug those two threads into the tapestry of my life, and I can't figure out where they go or what to do from here. I also had a realization. No one is going to want to hire me as a line cook unless I have experience. But, how can I gain experience if no one will let me try? So, what am I going to do? Well, I am going to dust myself off, and get down on my knees in prayer. I am also going to get advice from Culinary professionals whose opinion I trust and see what they think I should do.
However, not matter what I am feeling GOD is still in control and if He is calling me forward in this culinary journey then I shall follow. But, if He has called me into the culinary degree so that I may realize my love of the Pastry Arts, then I shall follow His lead.

Saturday night a dear friend came over and we made chocolate brownies while watching Julie and Julia.

God will never leave us desolate, and I heard a pastor once say, "God has brought you this far, He won't leave you hanging."

Introduction

We are going on a journey. No, I don't mean to Italy, or London, or even Japan. We are entering the journey of each other's lives through blogs. There is something about the written word that gives people more confidence, than if they had spoken it. I personally have had conversations with people that were both witty, and deep while communicating over the computer. I suppose not being able to see someone makes us feel safer, and more free to express what is in our hearts. Why do I tell you this? Because, we know each other and yet, we sometimes cannot fully convey what we are feeling in person. Therefore, blogs serve as another stepping stone in our journey to know each other, and Jesus.

I am amazed at the love of Jesus, which is far beyond my comprehension. Ephesians 3:14-19 is a prayer for the body of Christ in Ephesus (sp?). This past summer I went to London for a week. While there I heard a wonderful sermon preached from this very passage. He spoke about how God's love is SO great that it takes the whole body of Christ to comprehend it! Verses 17-21 state:

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width, and length and depth and height- to know the love Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen."

A better prayer I could not leave you with, and so with this phrase I shall end. God Bless!