21-10-13 - Wednesday I - Dementia Diaries V - baking saffron bread

So, Mum used to like cooking and baking. And fortunately it's one of the things she still likes to do. She has decided that knitting and playing bridge are things that she "used to do", she doesn't do them any more. That's a bit of a shame, because they would be a good use of time.

Anyway, baking is still one thing that Mum likes to do. Unfortunately, when we do cook together we normally come very close to arguing because Mum gets bored following the instructions, and if anything I am a stickler for the instructions - I rely on them, because I've never felt comfortable "freewheeling" in a kitchen. 

Last Monday she decided that she wanted to make saffron bread, following a Paul Hollywood recipe. The trouble became evident when she decided not to let the dough rise (that's when you leave it for two hours so that it rises as the yeast gets to work), nor did she want to let it prove, which was another two hours.

So basically she made a dough mixture and put it in the oven. I had no idea how long it should take to cook, nor do I know how to identify when it's cooked; all the instructions I read advised to let the dough rise.  

I did explain that she should follow the instructions and if she chose not to follow the instructions that might not be the best option, but her attention span just isn't there. She has no patience or understanding of time. I've probably mentioned before, but if it isn't happening "now", in front of her eyes, it's not important (the one exception, I think, was that my uncle seemed to be terminally ill in Ireland, and she was aware of that).

I wasn't looking forward to sampling this unleavened saffron cake, and my suspicions were confirmed. It was cooked on the outside but still raw dough on the inside, and it weighed a ton. She did suggest giving it to one of our neighbours, but I told her she couldn't do that as it wasn't cooked. Eventually she threw it in the bin. 

Lesson learned, I suppose; stick to simple recipes like hummimgbird cake and victoria sponges; recipes / cakes where you can throw everything in the bowl and marvel at how it all comes together in the oven. Certainly don't entertain any recipes where any degree of patience is required. 

TTFN.