On Wed, 6 Apr 2005, Dee Randall wrote:

>
> ""."" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sat, 2 Apr 2005, AK wrote:
> >
> >> I'd like to know some baking tips from those who love baking and are
> >> willing to share their tips! Thanx alot
> >
> > Read the entire recipe before you begin. Measure out everything and have
> > it ready. Many recipes involve timing. Letting something sit while you
> > measure out other ingredients could ruin the results.
> >
> > If you need refridgerated items at room temperature (e.g. eggs and butter)
> > put them out first so you are not waiting for them.
> >
> > If you need your butter at room temperature and cut into small pieces, cut
> > it when it is really cold then let it warm up. Don't let it warm up then
> > attempt to cut it.
> >
> I used to think it saved time if I got the ingredients out as I used them,
> but I totally agree with the above. Now, for some reason, since I do a lot
> of computer-ing, I like to arrange my recipe in groups of items and make the
> font a different color for each group of items. I can look down on a recipe
> and see more readily where I am in the composition of the recipe. For
> example, if a receipe calls for 4 groups of items to be put together each in
> their own separate bowl before adding them to one another, or adding them to
> a large pan for the oven, I will write down the bowl that best fits the
> group of items that goes in it; thus I will have all of my bowls together,
> as well. I do this more consisely for recipes I've made over-and-over
> because I've caused myself trouble previously not having the right bowl
> available.

Good tip. If you don't have a colour printer you can also just use
whitespace. Group the ingredients that get combined together and leave a
few blank lines between the groups, e.g.

sugar
butter


flour
salt
nutmeg


vanilla extract
baking soda


> I write times and all sorts of notes on this print-out, and then add it to
> the computer- filed recipe for the next time.
> I do all this at different times of the day in between other chores, so as
> not to make myself feel overwhelmed, then when it comes to doing the
> cooking/baking, I am free to do the 'cooking-show' thing for myself; that
> is, everything is ready for the performance of fun-cooking!
> Dee

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