Week 3 - 'Rainbow' Bagels

Busy week this week, but don't worry still committed to the challenge! Another year older, and hopefully another year wiser for baking techniques? I have even been given a branded rolling pin, so potenitally this hobbie is getting out of hand, but a big shout out to my (very few) but very loyal 'fans'.

 This week rainbow bagels - always wanted to make bagels so was up for this one.  

Unfortunately, I have definitely let down the rainbow side, with Sainos lack of food colouring plus I really didn't need hands which made me look part of a crime scene over the weekend!

The Prep-

Luckily no rouge ingredients at last! Apart from a proving bag (which is literally a plastic bag)  - don't waste your money! Some great marketing there - I used a clean bin bag - glamerous I know. And unfortunately, as mentioned before couldn't source the food colouring, so these are very boring. 

The Bake -

Really easy! Thank god, I am guessing the harder part of the food colouring - but really inspired me to make bagels way more often!

 

The Result:    

I went a bit large with these, made 4 large ones instead of 6. And they don't look particuarly neat, but they were really nice! A bit bland (could have done more salt) - but good.

Taste: 5

Appearance: 6

Texture:  7

Average: 6

Week 2 - Coconut Macaroons

Woo week 2 has come and gone! Coconut macaroons - no not the fun French ones, the dodgy coconut ones. This one will be short and sweet to be honest, just like that bake was, to be honest. Also on a side note, glad Paul has met expectations and is already flying out these handshakes as predicted. At this rate, even I could have got one*.. and that really is saying a lot.. 

(*obviously an exaggeration, I would be lucky to get voluntary test tasters but dream big and all) 

The Prep-

A lot of random equipment requests, I now need to factor in at least spending 15 pounds a week on rouge baking equipment that I can almost guarantee I won't be using again. Interestingly the only thing which I probably should have invested in which might have been of mild use was a whisk. But no thank god I have those 50 sheets of edible rice paper & a years supply of apple and mango puree - the pure essentials!

The Bake -

I really enjoyed making curd, very retro, and actually very simple, as long as it's on low heat (no scrambled egg is ideal). And again the assembling of the macaroons was the only challenge, the ridiculously small piping nozzle meant this was a no go, (I always have felt life is too short for piping, just not sure I have the patience for this kind of faff) - but this might be the reason by bakes are much more 'rustic'.. Luckily for this bake piping wasn't quite a necessity.  

The Result:    

I think a success! The only thing I would say is a little on the dry side, but we live and we learn. (or I might just blame the recipe). The chocolate ones were by far my fav. I might even make these again! 

Taste: 6 

Appearance: 7

Texture:  5

Average: 6