White Cob Loaf

So, here we go!

I thought I would start with something simple, but not too simple.

To add to the pressure, this loaf was planned to be used as one of the centre pieces for a family meal. #gulp!

So, I followed the recipe, but with an open mind.
Paul's recipe states in the adding water phase to not add all the water to begin with and add more when/if needed. This gave me the opportunity to follow my own 'cookery' instinct (if there is such a thing).
My instinct was put to the test when I ended up adding all the water, and the mixture turned into a wet mess. So I went off-piste, adding a little more flour and ended up with the following...

KNEADING TIME!!!!

The Mission

So here I go!!

I think Paul Hollywood is ace!

I've watched him many a time on TV and have a bit of a 'man-crush'.

My wife is absolutely fantastic at cooking and I have no real knowledge or experience, except during my university years, where stir-fry (mostly packaged) was my signature dish.

She's has been trying to encourage me to cook and bake since we've been married; some successes, but also many spectacular failures.

As a mathematician, I'm usually focused on the numbers, the times, the weights, etc., rather than the creative side.

So, I had some birthday money, and I bought Paul Hollywood's book, "How to Bake".

So, what's my mission?
I intend to go through every recipe in the book; on a journey from a ham-fisted boiler, to a master baker!
I will be making a post for every attempt I make: showing you where I've succeeded, gone wrong and any tips I pick up along the way.

First post will be coming very soon.
I'm hoping to do 2 a week.
Watch this space!