June 29th
I got a new mixer that I bought at the end of May, but I couldn’t receive it until today. This mixer has several types of blades, enabling me to make whipped cream, meringue, and bread dough.
Last summer, when I was new to Dublin, I tried to make bread dough with a normal hand mixer, but it wasn’t powerful enough to handle the tough texture. As a result, I broke two hand mixers and gave up on making breads that require heavy dough, like cinnamon rolls.
Since I had broken those mixers and couldn’t even whip cream or eggs to bake cakes, I was really looking forward to getting this new one to make pastries. I used it once this evening, and it was really great!
I baked a shortcake, but I didn’t have equipment like a turntable or a palette knife, which are important for decorating a shortcake beautifully. So, I wasn’t fully satisfied with how the cake looked.
June 30th
I wanted to test if this mixer was durable enough to mix bread dough. So, I tried making a baguette and sweet buns using some expired dry yeast that I brought from Japan, hoping it would still work. I was worried that the bread wouldn’t rise, but it turned out good enough.
When I used my homemade raisin yeast to make a baguette before, I couldn’t score the top because the dough wasn’t elastic enough. However, this time it went really well. The dough expanded nicely, and the scores opened up beautifully during baking. The only remaining issue is that I didn’t get an open crumb (the nice holes inside the bread).
July 1st
Recently, I started watching a drama on Netflix called “VIVANT.” I noticed a lack of attention to detail in the first few episodes, but the plot was so powerful that I got completely hooked from around episode three.
July 2nd
I tried making a sourdough starter again, which I had failed to do last year.
July 3rd
I found that the sourdough starter is rising much better than I expected. I now realize that temperature is very important for creating a sourdough starter.
July 4th
My sourdough starter is almost ready, but I have to leave my house for a week for a business trip. So, I stored it in the refrigerator.
July 5th
I caught an early morning flight from Dublin to London. I left my house at 4 a.m. Since it’s summer in Dublin, it was already bright outside. This is my second time visiting London.
My last visit was last September, which was my first time traveling abroad for business. I remember I was so nervous. This trip is also for business, but the difference this time is that my partner came with me.
I brought an unfinished bag from home, but I didn’t have time to work on it because my work project is in its final stages.