What A Mess!

[imsohungry]

O.K. people...I've just had "one of those days" in the kitchen.

I bought a bag of Ener-G pretzels for two dollars locally the other day. They were so good I thought, "I'll bake some pretzels of my own. It'll be more affordable in the long-run."

I mixed the dough, and placed it in a Ziploc bag with the bottom corner clipped off so that I could squeeze out pretzel sticks. Well, the first bag I used was a dollar-store storage bag, and as soon as I added the pressure to squeeze...the bottom blew out of the bag. The dough shot out and landed in a blob.

Undiscouraged, I then pulled out a name-brand bag, and again, another mess. So, by this point I was peeved-off, and it became my "mission" to make the stupid pretzels one way or another.

I rolled out the dough on wax paper...the dough clung to the waxed paper. I then scraped the dough "paste" off the wax paper with my fingers and rolled it up. Unknowingly, the wax paper had torn and was being rolled up in tiny shreds with the dough. I didn't care...I decided to eat it anyway. So I threw those stupid pretzel rolls on the pan, and shoved it in the oven.

They tasted horrible. And I ate them all (more or less just to make a point).

Next time I'm craving pretzels...I'll stick with what I know...and pay the stinkin' two bucks!

Happy baking everyone! -Julie (Does wax paper have gluten?)

[ArtGirl]

Oh, that's too funny. Thanks for the laugh

Seriously, how sad. I would have eaten them, too, after all that trouble.

[Joni63]

O.K. people...I've just had "one of those days" in the kitchen.

I bought a bag of Ener-G pretzels for two dollars locally the other day. They were so good I thought, "I'll bake some pretzels of my own. It'll be more affordable in the long-run."

I mixed the dough, and placed it in a Ziploc bag with the bottom corner clipped off so that I could squeeze out pretzel sticks. Well, the first bag I used was a dollar-store storage bag, and as soon as I added the pressure to squeeze...the bottom blew out of the bag. The dough shot out and landed in a blob.

Undiscouraged, I then pulled out a name-brand bag, and again, another mess. So, by this point I was peeved-off, and it became my "mission" to make the stupid pretzels one way or another.

I rolled out the dough on wax paper...the dough clung to the waxed paper. I then scraped the dough "paste" off the wax paper with my fingers and rolled it up. Unknowingly, the wax paper had torn and was being rolled up in tiny shreds with the dough. I didn't care...I decided to eat it anyway. So I threw those stupid pretzel rolls on the pan, and shoved it in the oven.

They tasted horrible. And I ate them all (more or less just to make a point).

Next time I'm craving pretzels...I'll stick with what I know...and pay the stinkin' two bucks!

Happy baking everyone! -Julie (Does wax paper have gluten?)

[Joni63]

LOL! I give you an "A" for determination! You did end up making those pretzels one way or another.

Why are pretzels so darn expensive anyway? I bought a bag of Glutino for $7.00. Same size I could buy for 99 cents with gluten.

I had a bad kitchen day too. I made Scalloped Potatoes and ended up spilling the contents inside of my oven door (between the inside and outside glass). I have no idea how to get it apart to clean it properly so for now my glass looks two-toned.

[Guest j_mommy]

I would do the same thing...eat them just for the principal of the matter!!! Chalk it up to being a monday!!!LOL

[jerseyangel]

Oh you poor thing! Reminds me of my first gluten-free Thanksgiving--I was attempting to make piecrust and didn't realize that gluten-free crust is best rolled between palstic wrap. I had to scrape the dough off the counter with a pancake turner, and fit the pieces into the pan with my hands.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Oh, my!!!! I'm sorry you had such a frustrating time, but oh, the way you wrote about it is SO funny!!!!

Where on earth do you find gluten-free pretzels for 2 bucks? They are $7.99 here ON SALE.

[sickchick]

LMAO!!! Brilliant!

[tarnalberry]

try getting a pastry bag? that's a tough one! I hope you get the pretzels to work out. all the instructions for them I've seen had them rolled out and then laid in the appropriate shape from a long roll of dough

[imsohungry]

Glad, if nothing else positive came out of my fiasco, that at least I provided a smile to those who can empathize with me.

I will remember your tip Tiffany.

Patti and Bellyfat,

Ha! thank you for your stories. Oh, dear, sweet Patti, another woman of excellence in all of your baking attempts...

Good for you for getting that stinkin' pie crust in that pan one way or another!

My mother and I have a great sense of humor together:

My mom called yesterday, "Hey sweety what ya doing?

Me: "Can I call you back? I'm scrubbing pretzel dough off the wall."

Mom: "Now, get the trashcan near-by because that can be sticky, and you don't want to have to mop too."

Me: (very sarcastically) "Oh look...it's rising right there on the wall and counter!"

Mom: Good grief, Julie!

Me: Heck Mom, I may not even need a pan. Maybe I'll just bring the portable heater in here and bake the dang dough on the wall. I'm sure the blob on the countertop will cook nicely too.

Mom: Surely, your not serious?

Me: No mom ...just peeved-off.

Mom: Well dear...if all else fails, level it off, and make a sink backsplash.

Me: Honestly mom, I've got to go now, I still plan to eat this gunk.

Mom: Enjoy your gunk...but no need to share...keep that crap at your house.

Have a lovely day! -Julie

P.S. the small bag of Ener-G pretzels that I paid two dollars for was purchased at a small local health and vitamin store.

[Cheri A]

((hugs)) That reminds me of the bricks I've made for bread in the past that were horrible! It also reminds me of the first few tries at cookies that spread all over the cookie sheet and looked a bit like butter brickle candy.

I tried to make some soft pretzels once. She liked them at first, and then didn't like them anymore. I just made sticks though.

[jerseyangel]

"a sink backsplash"

At least you can have a good sense of humor about all this--that's half the battle!

[Juliebove]

I did the same thing. What I learned was that I can make somewhat big soft pretzels using a mix. I can't make little crisp pretzels.

[JNBunnie1]

Hi Cheri. I realize this is off-topic, but I'll be your friend forever if you give me the recipe to the freaking wonderful-looking bread in your picture!!!!! If it tastes as good as it looks, that is....

[imsohungry]

Julie,

What mix do you use?

Hey Cheri...that bread does look good...wanna share???

-Julie

[JNBunnie1]

Julie,

What mix do you use?

Hey Cheri...that bread does look good...wanna share???

-Julie

This is funny, my name is Julie too... Maybe it's a baker gene or something....

[imsohungry]

This is funny, my name is Julie too... Maybe it's a baker gene or something....

HA! Maybe we'll all end up gluten-free baking geniouses! Although, after my blow-out of dough all over the counter and walls this week, I've decided I'm a slow learner.

Julie

[Cheri A]

Hi Julies!!

Sure, I'd love to share!! It's a Bette Hagman recipe. I had to tweak it a bit because of Carleigh's egg & milk allergies. Here's the link to the recipe. I follow it to a T except I preheat the oven to 200 degrees and then put the bread pan in the oven to rise, click off the oven. Let rise for about 20 minutes (just to the top of the bread pan) and then kick the oven back on to 400 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. She loves it!

I've also hear great things about Lorka's bread here, but haven't tried it.

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