What to do when you can't sleep...

So what do I do when I wake up at 2:00am in the morning because I am completely stressed out about my dissertation? For which, I might like to add, I feel I have reached a point where I am totally blocked now, and instead of being able to see the larger picture my thoughts are constantly returning back to my case study - not getting me anywhere!


Well, I do the one thing I feel I have at least a little control over. I bake! I give you Challah…

Mix 2 packages (instant) dry yeast with 5 cups of flour, ½ cup of sugar, 1 cup warm water, 3 eggs, 2 teaspoons salt and ½ cup (room temperate) butter. Mix until you have a ball of dough, cover, and try to catch some sleep on the sofa while the dough doubles (about 2 hours if you can actually do it w/out thinking about writing/theories/sociological perspectives).

Divide the dough in four equal parts and roll each into a long rope. Line the four strands and braid them (this was kind of a trial an error thing at 4:00am – you will see when it’s correct and there is no way I can explain this process). Cover the braid with a towel and let it rise again for about one hour. At this point I did fall asleep on the sofa and by the time I woke up the braid had risen for about 2 hours (hence it’s a little too fat!).

Brush with one beaten egg, sprinkle with poppy and sesame seeds, and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Nectarine Cobbler

I bought a case of nectarines a few weeks ago, and this morning I looked at the last four (sad looking) nectarines that were left in the box. After inspection, one had to go in the garbage, but the last three were, while a little soft to the touch, still in good shape. I thought I give the old Peach Cobbler a spin and try my luck with Nectarine Cobbler. Here it goes…

Cut three (sad looking) nectarines in slices and boil them with ½ cup of sugar and some water for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile melt about 2 tbsp. butter in a casserole dish.

Mix ¾ cup of flour, 2 tsp. of baking powder, ¼ cup sugar, and ¾ cup of milk (makes kind of like a pancake batter).

Add the batter to the melted butter casserole dish (do not mix the batter with the butter - just pour on top of it!). Then add the nectarines with a slotted spoon (I left most of the juice in the pot) on top of the batter.

 

Now bake at 350F for 45 min.

And voila……Nectarine Cobbler.