There’s a term in the baking world that gets used over and over. It’s meant to imply a tasty outcome. Or a beautiful one. Something you make with your own two hands, con amore. It could be basic or complex. Or a dish that has no chemical ingredients. It could also be using all fresh ingredients (never frozen, oh my!).
But the definition we like best really describes the journey: scratch was a term used in the eighteenth century in sports to describe a line scratched on the ground that acted as a boundary line or starting point. It’s a place to begin.
Baking from scratch. It’s worthy of its own phrase.
People often tell you that when you create something it’s all about your mindset. That you don’t have to have great knowledge, or have an established name, or be really practiced. Of course that’s true. Everyone begins somewhere. And navigating a challenge without giving up brings out something brilliant in each of us: resilience. And we all need it. But that’s not what baking from scratch is really about.
Others say, be bold with your baking! Throw all those ingredients in and get it out there! Friends of ours from years ago used this phraseology in advertising – creating ad campaigns is like throwing spaghetti on the wall. You see what sticks. Well, that sounds delicious.
Baking is fun, but it’s also an art and a science. There is something to be said for knowing how all those items react to one another to create something truly amazing.
Baking from scratch doesn't have to be that hard but does require some or all of the above. A bit of experience. A dash of panache. A respect for science. A love for art. Plus a smidgen of elbow grease and some time in the kitchen. A desire to learn and a place where you’re not afraid to make mistakes because you know you can try it again. That’s not easy in today’s fast fix culture but the reward is so delicious.
As a culinary school teacher said, “Relax. It’s only butter, sugar and eggs. We’re not doing brain surgery. Enjoy the process.”
We are on a journey to create, to discover, explore, to learn, to share and to enjoy the fruit of our efforts. We enjoy the science and art of food and can't wait to discover more from the pioneers who experimented before us. We are starting at a pace where we can all learn together. It’s going to be fun!
Come along for the ride as we start baking from scratch.