Jae's Oven Fresh Cinnamon Buns

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Well, my daughter, who is 28 years young finally learned to make cinnamon buns. She loves them and has wanted to do this for many years. What stopped her? Fear of failure. I kept telling her that old adage "if at first you don't succeed" well that didn't work, but for some reason on Monday, she got up the nerve and did it and this is the result.

No, it wasn't easy and they were not perfect. I know they might look good but this was her first try. They were to bake for 25 minutes and they really could have stood 18-20 minutes. They were a bit dry, but that's what learning is all about. I recently spoke to a man who was attempting to recreate his mom's potato rolls and did not know where to get fresh yeast. (fresh yeast is another blog) We talked for several minutes before also finding out that the recipe a family member had may not be the mom's original recipe. He was quite desperate since he wanted to serve these luscious rolls for Christmas dinner. I provided a couple of well respected sites where he might find a good recipe and told him to try the recipe three times. The first time to see if it works, the second time to get the bugs out...if it did work, and the third time would be a charm. He said he did not even want to trust messing up the first time.

This leads me to this question. Why is it so hard to get people to attempt new culinary endeavors? Why do people insist on having recipes work on the first try? What ever happen to "if at first you don't succeed try, try again." I know, I know, food is expensive, but you have to learn some way, right? What are your thoughts?

I teach cooking classes for a living and recently took my show online. I'm gonna teach personal one on one cooking techniques online. (you know schedule a time online and walk folks through the recipe) I'm hoping it will be a blast. With all this technology, I'm looking to reach those lurkers, fearful foodies, cooks and bakers who hide in the booth in the back in the corner in the dark...just dying to jump out and shake their culinary booty! I know you're out there and I'm coming to teach you...you little novice cook, you little budding baker...I see you.

Let me know your thoughts!