I love good food, and I think I'm a decent cook. (Is that a vain thing to say?) In fact, I have been told that food is my love language. Having a baby? Have a family illness? Anyone in your family having surgery? No problem. I'll provide dinner! I'm not great at providing other services for the people I love, but I can usually give food.
I enjoy cooking, and I love baking, especially in the Fall when the weather chills up a bit, and warming up my kitchen with yummy smelling baked goods is just the right thing to take the bite out of the air.
Now, here's the problem. My little house has a lovely, brand spanking new kitchen. The landlords fixed it all up, with new tile floors and new cabinets. It's beautiful! They even installed granite countertops. Problem, you say? It sounds glorious!
The problem is the oven. Right now, I'm wishing they had saved their money on the countertop and bought a new oven. The one in the kitchen is old and unpredictable. I have discovered that I have to set the temperature at least 25 degrees cooler than specified in any recipe. AND I have to bake things for much less time than recommended (think 7 minutes for 11 minute cookies).
Even then, I'm always guessing. I have ended up with crispy cookies (I like 'em soft), dry pear bread (it is HARD to turn pear bread dry), and my latest "creation", this lovely banana bread:
Ouch!
This has a big possibility of having a seriously negative effect on my reputation. I promise that it's the oven's fault. Please don't judge me.
8 comments:
Mom's oven is like that. I can't get over having to wait TEN MINUTES for cookies when I used to wait 6:50. I'm sure your skillz will survive.
Ooo... what's pear bread? Send me the recipe!
Anyone who has eaten anything you created will not have any doubt it's the oven. How frustrating for you, though!
I HATE getting used to a new old oven. If only you could oven train like you can sleep train...
Looks like it left room for some cream cheese "filling." :) I hate that though. It has taken me a year to get used to my old oven, and you would think I would have it figured out because it was my moms before it was here. At least you are a good cook. Can you imagine how bad it would be if you weren't? Good luck!
Tee hee! That picture made me laugh out loud! I think you have overcome your spastic oven quite well, considering the delicacies I have enjoyed from you lately.
And I'm with JoLyn. I'd love the recipe!
Two words: oven thermometer. Even a new oven can vary enough to mess up familiar recipes. Also, remember to make high altitude adjustments to baking - less levening or more structure.
I just barely moved AWAY from an oven like that! I can totally relate. Cakes would cook in 1/3 of the time! And most of the time food was burned around the edges. I made banana bread here and I couldn't BELIEVE how delicious it was! Amazing how ovens can ruin your life! HOWEVER, I'm sure it all still tastes incredible!!! Miss you!
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