Bread, et cetera

It is a mysterious business, this making of bread, 

and once you are hooked by the miracle of yeast,

you'll be a breadmaker for life.

James Break, from Beard on Bread 1980

I always wondered how bread are made and is it the same as baking a cake or making desserts? Well last June 5, 2011, I got the chance to know. My sister and I attend a bread demo class at the castle of baking and confectionery arts. The fee is 1500 pesos but since there is a promo wherein you bring a friend, we got it at 50% discount. 

The demo includes the basics and steps of bread making. The recipes that was demonstrated were Pan de Sal, Spanish Bread, Cinnamon Bread, Ensaimada, Bread Pudding and Doughnut.

The verdict.. I now know that making bread takes a lot of patience because of the waiting time for the fermentation (waiting for the dough to rise), the resting of the dough (continuation of the rise of dough) and the muscle it requires to knead the dough (if you don't have the machine). J

Chocolate Molding Anyone?

I have attended a class about Chocolate Molding in the Castle of Baking and Confectionery Arts last February 13, 2011. This is located in P.Tuazon Cubao Quezon City. For those of you familiar with the area, it is in the structure or building shaped like a chocolate castle. I planned to have chocolate molding for now as a hobby then eventually it might be a source of additional income for us.

The demonstration involves making a simple chocolate lollipop to the more complex 3D structures. Costing and packaging were also explained.  Here are the photos that I have taken during the class.

Here is their website. They have regular posting of classes in case your interested.
http://www.cbcaclasses.com

Now, if only I have the materials... haven't bought them yet.... hahaha