Do you find yourself baking during the pandemic?

DO YOU FIND YOURSELF BAKING DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Since the start of the pandemic, grocery aisles were being emptied and some of the top ingredients were flour, butter and yeast. On first pass this makes perfect sense, these are pantry staples and people feared shortages.

Very quickly though, a different phenomena was apparent, everyone was baking bread, cookies, cakes, croissants, and a french pastry recipe that takes 4 days to prepare.  The natural  question, why did “stress baking”, as it is now referred to, become so popular?

For centuries, baking, in particular bread, has been a daily practice among most cultures. It provides predictability to meals and represents a time to come together to eat. During this time of massive uncertainty, baking provides distraction, comfort and something to look forward to. Our brain craves order when there is disorder. A recipe provides a wonderful step by step approach to a pleasurable result. In addition, the pandemic has forced an unnatural solitude and restrictions on gatherings.  Food brings people together, whether it is cooking together, eating together or sharing recipes. Instagram and Facebook have seen a surge in recipe sharing.

I know for myself, cooking and baking have always been a cherished hobby. During the pandemic, my family like many others have been baking more than ever and attempted to make  vegan pavlova which I had never even heard of before March. Find the recipe here. 

So if you are interested in trying out some great desserts., I’m sharing my apricot-berry crumble recipe here which my daughters and I have made at least 20 times. It’s easy, delicious and will get you started on your own baking tradition.  

If you are interested in making your own sourdough bread (it takes 4 days), then this is the best recipe on the internet. 

As we continue our new normal, enjoy the pure joy of creating something from start to finish and fill your kitchen with all of the soothing aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. 

(Prerana Sangani, MD, July 29, 2020)