I started on my winter resolution before the year was ended: Learn how to bake simple breads and cakes from scratch.

As silly as this sounds, I want to be able to make at least three or four desserts WITHOUT using a recipe, just with what the little baking knowledge I have and my culinary imagination.

Nothing exotic, just simple things. I already made vanilla cinnamon bread. It tasted good, nothing to write home about, but I needed it to grow bigger inside the tray. It looked more like a pound cake than a loaf of bread. I cut it into thin slices and throw it in the oven to toast it. Then I spread some butter or cream cheese. Bon Appétit!

Right now in the oven, I have banana nut bread cooking. It smells good, already confirmed. I took it out after 50 minutes to check it, and the inside was still a bit moist. Still needs a bit more time. I hope that by the end of this post I can take it out of the oven, and it will be perfect.

The next one? I’m in between: Improving one of my two initial creations. “Improve” should be “correct”; or try to do something with pumpkin.

If I have zero baking experience/skills, and manage to make 3 desserts right off the bat that are at least 6/10 or 7/10, it’s a huge victory because the next thing is to follow the recipes and read the baking books.

I think, I THINK, that if I make ONE dessert a week, by the end of January 2023 I should have AT LEAST 2 recipes perfected (or at least consistently good and delicious to offer it to others).

That is the goal of every chef/cook. Sharing with other people what he created with his hands, kitchen tools and heat. Make them enjoy a meal.

For the moment, I’m on the right track, and I have the right attitude to learn the basics, practice recipes and improve my culinary art.