Baking Therapy

October 16, 2015 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Small Man is in the middle of his HSC exams. Three down, three to go.

Unlike his brother, he’s a bit anxious, so we’ve been working hard to keep things calm. And as we’re hunkered down and staying at home, I’ve been baking like a crazy woman. It’s very therapeutic!

. . . . .

I made a large batch of Small Man’s favourite sourdough olive and cheese rolls. These sit happily in the freezer until he’s ready to defrost and eat them…

. . . . .

Tiger cakes, which start out as self-marbling tie-dye batter (the recipe is here)…

Tiger tiger, burning bright…

ss7

. . . . .

Exams necessitate chocolate chip cookies, and big exams necessitate lots of them. These are both Pete’s and Small Man’s favourite, and I’ve had to set a “two cookies per day” consumption limit for anyone not in study mode…

. . . . .

I’m always messing about with my sourdough. I made a particularly wet batch recently which produced huge bubbles. Pete called it a “lava dough”…

Wet doughs are always much harder to manage. It’s worth persevering though, as the end result is a crispy crust, open tender crumb and improved keeping times…

. . . . .

Finally, a large batch of our sweet dough became a loaf of brioche for Baby M…

…and a mountain of hamburger buns for our dinner that evening…

Homemade pork and beef burgers, topped with garden lettuce, mustard, pickles and chipotle salsa. The boys ate two each…

. . . . .

Two more weeks of exams to go, so I’ll just keep baking. Wishing you all a glorious weekend! ♥

Posted in Recipes | 36 Comments

36 Responses

on October 16, 2015 at 11:44 am Cecilia Mary Gunther

Hamburger buns – that’s what i will make for this weekend.. and now I must go and have a look at your sweet dough – I hope it is easy enough for me – can I put raisins in it? Much love.. c
on October 16, 2015 at 11:55 am M E Cheshier

Soooo goood! Everything looks wonderful!
on October 16, 2015 at 11:56 am Antonia

Wow, yummy! Beautiful collection!
on October 16, 2015 at 12:06 pm Mary

My second child is sitting the HSC as well. Chocolate chip cookies, lemon ginger slice and chocolate fudge are must makes in our house at this time. Also a couple of loaves of sourdough bread.
on October 16, 2015 at 12:10 pm Susan

Whoo Hoo…….What a way to go!! What a Moma :)
on October 16, 2015 at 12:23 pm Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef

Your bread looks fantastic. Baking is therapy and you end up with some tasty food. Have a great weekend.
on October 16, 2015 at 12:34 pm Julie is Hostess At Heart

You’ve really been baking! Love it! That bread looks amazing!
on October 16, 2015 at 12:42 pm NapoliRestaurantAlert

Good luck Small Man. You got this.
on October 16, 2015 at 12:55 pm Manuela

Beautiful tiger loaves. I’ll have to check out the recipe. Love your consumption limit rule. Lol! Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite here too. I’ve been busy baking as well. Enjoy your weekend!
on October 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm Mel Kettle

That consumption limit is a bit cheeky!!! And almost worth sitting exams for – almost but not quite. Good luck to Small Man. I still remember how I felt during the HSC and it’s been nearly 30 years… Sigh.
on October 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm marilynscottwaters

I feel like a slacker, the Boy had finals this week and I think I peeled him an orange. Time to up my mom skills. :-)

My last two sourdoughs have come out like hockey pucks in spite of my best efforts. I’m beginning to think I accidentally filled the bread flour bin with regular flour. It’s felt more like cake dough when I shaped it. :(
on October 16, 2015 at 1:40 pm Nancy |Plus Ate Six

Some days I don’t think there is anything better than a good burger but I never get as far as making my own buns something that should be rectified soon. I think I’d be sneaking out more than my 2 cookies a days ration from that stash!
on October 16, 2015 at 1:46 pm EllaDee

I’m considering sitting the HSC again after seeing this! :)
on October 16, 2015 at 1:48 pm Jaqi

What a great mum you are, Celia! I’m sure all that baking is putting everyone in a good mood!
on October 16, 2015 at 1:49 pm Tasty Eats Ronit Penso

Each photo is more mouthwatering than the other. Lucky Small Man! :D
on October 16, 2015 at 2:45 pm Debra Kolkka

Good luck to small man. I hope he does well…he won’t be hungry anyway.
on October 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm The Life of Clare

Hope you have a lovely calm weekend Celia.
on October 16, 2015 at 3:41 pm Elaine @ foodbod

Lots of luck to your lovely boy…at least he won’t go hungry!!!
on October 16, 2015 at 5:14 pm Francesca

What a fabulous truckload of baking. Not sure how you do it all.
on October 16, 2015 at 5:58 pm jo

More wonderful baking by you Celia. Good luck to small man too:)
on October 16, 2015 at 7:15 pm thecompletebook

You are such an incredible mom. Wonderful!
Have a beautiful weekend.
:-) Mandy xo
on October 16, 2015 at 9:52 pm Johanna GGG

good luck to small man – if baking alone could get him through the exams he would surely be passing with flying colours – your house must smell delicious!
on October 16, 2015 at 11:06 pm Chica Andaluza

Good luck to Small Man – we’re all keeping everything crossed for him. What wonderful baking and great therapy – I am so looking forward to being back in England to get on with some dough making and bread baking….am missing it but it’s just not been practical here :(
on October 17, 2015 at 12:48 am sallybr

I join everyone in wishing Small Man good luck! Maybe he needs 4 chocolate chip cookies, I think that’s about right for a day… I will have two and only two. Promise!

;-)
on October 17, 2015 at 1:22 am themateriallady

Yummy treats for a difficult time. That tiger cake looks very interesting, as do the cheese and olive buns. Oh heck, it all looks wonderful. Good luck to the small man.
on October 17, 2015 at 2:09 am Glenda

Celia, I feel for Small Man. Here’s hoping it all goes well for him. Keep baking, if baking helps :)
on October 17, 2015 at 7:27 am anne54

Good luck to Small Man. Your baking should get too marks too!
on October 17, 2015 at 9:22 am Amanda (@lambsearshoney)

You certainly have been busy. You could bake for Australia, my friend!
on October 17, 2015 at 11:18 am dianeskitchentable

You’ve been baking up a storm! Everything looks so good and I really love that tiger cake. But seriously Celia? 2 cookie per day limit unless in exam mode…that’s what we’d call cruel and unusual punishment over here.
on October 20, 2015 at 4:10 am Eva Taylor

What beautiful baking! Good luck on exams from chilly Canada!
on October 20, 2015 at 11:32 pm Karen

That burger looks great, I can see why more than one was eaten. I laughed at the two limit cookie rule…must keep the student happy.
on October 21, 2015 at 12:20 am Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

I think of you and your studying boys often and wonder how things are getting along. Not much more stress. I’m sure all your cooking and just ‘being there’ means a lot to his success in the exams. All this food looks amazing! I think I need to take a test.
on October 21, 2015 at 12:46 am justalittlepiece

Baking therapy indeed! I was attempting to make butternut squash risotto last night amidst client calls so the turnout of my dish was not what I wanted. I’m missing the calming effect cooking for loved ones. Something about making something with my hands and being able to share it with someone else helps quell my jitters. Must fit in baking therapy ASAP.
on October 21, 2015 at 7:05 am Jan (agluttonouswife)

Baking is a wonderful therapy – it never gets boring does it!! All of your goodies look fantastic Celia!! Best of luck to your boy with his exams. I’m curious with your cheese and olive sour dough rolls – for the overnight sourdough, when would you add those ingredients – the night before like a fruit sourdough? Warmest oven baked regards, Jan x
on October 22, 2015 at 7:52 am Sabrina

Yum, all these baked goods are making me hungry! Also agree baking is great therapy :)
on October 22, 2015 at 11:46 am Gretchen

Maybe I should take exams to eat like that?! You are an awesome Mum!