Tuesday, November 11, 2008

TWD: Kugelhopf


In general, I try not to turn this blog into my personal sounding board. I know everyone has problems and hardships and they don’t need to take on my burdens too. Plus, I don't even like to listen to myself whine. However, I have a beef I feel like talking about. And I’m wondering, am I the only one who feels this way? Maybe I've turned into one of those old farts who’s got romantic notions of how much better things were in "the good old days"?


Here's what gets my goat... Hollywood and the entertainment industry bombarding my kids with its lack of values. For example, advertising of the movie, “Sex and the City”.

I don’t mind that the movie exists, but dag-nabit, do they have to advertise it everywhere? At every turn, I see that larger than life poster (and more to the point, my kids see it) with the word “SEX” in all caps, in hot pink rhinestones on a black background. Very glamorous, very glitzy, lots of visual appeal… and there it is at the theater, the mall, TV commercials, at the bookstore for crying out loud. It’s fine for adults, but when I take my kids to the bookstore and end up having to have “the talk” with my 7 year old? Oy vey!

You may be thinking, “but you could just tell them when they're older”. Yeah right, you try not explaining something like that to a curious elementary school kid and you will be hounded every waking minute, I guarantee you. At that age, they just can't stand being left out of a secret. And saying nothing isn't an option... you risk them using their fun, new word at school, at their friend's house, or wherever, because they don't know what it means.



And it's not a matter of "well, if you don't like it, just don't look at it." Because you just can't escape it. It's everywhere.

Here’s another example. Our family goes to the bowling alley, middle of the week day, we’re among a handful of groups bowling. Another nice wholesome outing, right? Right. Guess what song starts blaring on the juke box? “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It” (which is sung by a girl, in case you didn't know). Niiiiice. Then some goon plays it AGAIN! And I see the sweet faces of my 7 and 10 year olds, looking at me and their dad with a “what the... ?” look.

What I dislike is when society forces me to have these discussions with my kids before I feel that they’re ready. OK, maybe the 10 year old is ready. But the 7 year old? Does he really need to know that? Will the world not let me keep him innocent for just a little while longer?

Wishful thinking, I guess.

Believe me when I tell you I am not a prude. I’m not holier than thou, not one to preach to anyone about my beliefs or be judgemental. And I don’t get all wigged out when I do explain the grown up parts of life to the kids. I tell them matter of factly, as much as I think they need to know, or can handle. But damn, let me do it when I think the time is right! Not as a result of a trip to the bookstore or the bowling alley, for pete’s sake!

Sigh.

So anyway, the kids are finding out (too young) about sex and the options for partners, and the Tuesday's with Dorie crowd and I are finding out about Kugelhopf. Sigh.

Here's a shout out to Yolanda of All-Purpose Girl for this week's recipe selection.

Kugelhopf is a European “cake” made from slightly sweetened yeast dough and typically contains raisins. It’s baked in a ring type pan and has a distinct look. Leite’s Culinaria has a real nice description and a beautifully made example, along with Dorie Greenspan's recipe.

I’m guessing I won’t be alone amongst the Tuesdays with Dorie crowd when I say that it seemed more like bread than cake. Albeit, a nice, light, soft bread.

Here is the dough in the molds, before it's had a chance to rise.


I don’t have a Kugelhopf pan, and I wanted to cut the recipe in half, so I used some cute little metal molds I have to bake it in. I added mini chocolate chips because I thought the recipe looked like it could benefit from some chocolate. (What, in life, couldn't benefit from a little chocolate?)


Some had problems with the yeasted dough rising. Mine rose to the tops of the molds before baking (I filled the molds about ¾ full to start with) but they rose even more in the oven and seemed to turn out just right.


Alone, they were OK. Warmed up, slathered with butter and jam, they were pretty good. I’m guessing the full sized loaf, sliced and toasted with butter and jam would be downright tasty.

All in all, it was a new and fairly successful baking adventure. Now, if I could get Hollywood to messing around in my business, I'd be set!

25 comments:

Cathy said...

It's funny you should bring this up this week, because in my post I reference the fact that kids are total sponges, as evidenced by the fact that my 3 year old recently broke out in a hip hop song (that I believe she's heard a few times while over at her 11 year old cousin's house -- I think this song is big with the tweens). There are worse songs than this particular one, but I was still surprised to hear her repeat it after just a couple of listens. I don't know if I'm ready for the next phase of this parenting job! Your kugelhopf looks great! Love the minis. I agree that these were best warm and slathered with something.

Marthe said...

They look great.... I can't wait to taste mine!

Anonymous said...

Your little kugelhopfs look great. Perfectly golden and crispy.

NKP said...

Love the minis! So very cute.
Chocolate chips would have been interesting....

Snooky doodle said...

these Kugelhopf look so nice. I m not that good with yeasted cakes ha. I totally agree with you , These days children are growing up too quickly. THe media greatly influence them.

Jin Hooi said...

wowur kugelhopf looks so good !!rise beautifully !!

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

I could not agree more, wishing we didn't have to explain things that are way beyond their years to our children. It's just sad. On to a better note your kugelhopf(s) (not sure what the plural on that word is) look wonderful! I'm jealous about your in the oven rise that mine just wouldn't do.

Pamela said...

I'm so with you on keeping them innocent as long as possible. I had no clue about those things until I was like 12. Maybe I was naive and sheltered, but I think I turned out okay. Sadly, the world is a much different place. You just do the best you can, and it sounds like you are doing a great job!

Anyway, about that Kugelhopf...they look so cute. And you're right, everything is better with some chocolate.
Hang in there!!

chocolatechic said...

Oh....yours look so cute.

Jayne said...

First off, your little kugelhopf are adorable.

My kids are 6 and 4, and I am trying to keep them as innocent as I can, but it's hard with all the outside influences...

Jodie said...

I TOTALLY agree with you. And people who say parents should lighten up or not expose their kids to these kinds of outside influences don't have kids. If they did, they would understand how difficult it is to raise wholesome kids. We can't keep them in a bubble!
Oh, and your kugelhopf looks great. I did the choco chips, too and thought it was a lot better than raisins would've been!

Jennywenny said...

If I was a parent I'd be much more worried about violence than sex, but thats just me being all european or whatnot. Lovely looking kugelhopfs!!

April said...

I completely agree with you on the hollywood thing!

BTW, you kugelhopf looks delish!

Anonymous said...

They look good. I love your little pans. I'm with you about the song, "I kissed a girl and I liked it." I don't think it should be allowed on the air. A lot of things that are allowed on the radio and tv are ridiculous.

Jamie said...

Your kugelhopf looks perfect so nicely browned.

Tammy said...

I loveyour little moulds, and I agree with that song - I cant fathom how it can be so popular! I think it's dumb

Bunny said...

No your right, kids now dress and talk like they're 20 instead of 10! I didn't even want to hear about boys when I was that age, of course I'm as old as dirt but still! Tv and the movies have ALOT to do with this, what a shame!!

Megan said...

Good lord, girl - we could have coffee and discuss this for hours - my 9 year old thinks every girl is "hot and sexy" because that's what he hears his friends saying at school. Don't forget, I live in Las Vegas, where billboards of barely dressed women are everywhere you look. Try explaining what "Hot Babes To You" means to an 11 year old.

La Bella Cooks said...

I love the little molds, those are darling! Your pics are always fantastic.

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

Your rant wasn't completely off topic having beautiful Kugelhopf photos sprinkled throughout! Your bread looks like a stunning success.

Gigi said...

The mini kugelhopfa are a adorable! What kind of pans did you use?

Molly Loves Paris said...

Those little guys are soo cute, and they look so tasty. Nicely done! Now I want to make little kugels.

Shari said...

I love those little molds! And I completely agree with you that we have to have these conversations earlier and earlier. Even commercials during prime time can start a discussion.

AmyRuth said...

Such KUTE KUGELS.... who wouldn't love to bake in those molds. Wow a show stopper. My own personal Kugelhopf. Ya know?
Well put! I think we all agree with you. I hate it and my kids are big 2 in college one in JH. Its gross.
But your Kugelhopfs are sweet
AmyRuth

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, it's not just Hollywood. As an elementary school teacher in a well-to-do community, I see more and more parents who encourage dating at a young age, parents who take their daughters out of school for "spa days"... Eighth grade teachers I know say that the new thing is for parents to pull their kids out of school so they can prepare for the eight grade dance and then spend a fortune on dresses, tuxes...

Your kugelhopfs look great, by the way!