If you’re someone used to excelling at everything you try, it’s helpful to cut your ego down to size and pick hobbies you’re likely to suck at.
For me that’s been bread baking. Most of my attempts thus far have been too dense, over proofed, underbaked, or overbaked. But each try has taught me something.
I decided to up the challenge recently with sourdough baking. I think I finally figured out how to make and revive the starter, but I still can’t seem to get a good rise out of it. And the information available online is conflicting.
Baking has the reputation of a scientific endeavor, and it certainly does require precision for consistent results. But there isn’t always a perfect path each time. You’ve got to build an instinct for it rather than simply follow a recipe to the letter.
But that’s the beauty of it. After all, if it was just a matter of following the guide perfectly, what fun and challenge would there be in that?