Kneading

Just spent the last 15 minutes doing something people must have done for hours over the centuries of human existence, but for which few of us now have time: kneading dough.

It is a surprisingly tactile and satisfying task. The lumpy mess of yeast, water and flour you start with becomes a smooth, elastic lump, that absorbs all the flour from your board, leaves your fingers clean, and gives you a sense of both creative and nutritious accomplishment in several short minutes!

Would that all of life's messes could be fixed so easily:

-got a lying, cheating husband? Add water, 1 tsp sugar and knead him (above the waist please) for 30 minutes, If he's still too lumpy, put him in the oven at 200 degrees for a warm up. He should come out pliant and will not rebound when you poke holes into him.



-got a crying baby? make a well in the middle of your flour mixture and pour the child in the center. slowly kneading her soft parts, avoiding knees, elbows and face, until she is rosy with pleasure.

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Thing is, my last two doughs looked great, but did not rise. Today I used a thermometer when adding the yeast. Here's hoping for some expansion and some great pizza for lunch tomorrow!!