Baking Class

A few weeks ago my food festival committee had a holiday dinner party. Everyone had to bring a dish to pass, and I brought carrot Crasin bread, which was a huge hit. A group of the ladies asked if I would teach them how to make the bread before I finished my service. On Wednesday afternoon the called to see if I was free that night for a baking class. I brought the Crasins, and my ladies brought everything else.

They decided to make the recipe times four! That is a lot of bread. We broke out some big bowls and mixed up all kinds of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, carrots and Craisins. Using my great fondness of experiential learning, I had them do all of the hands on work. It was a blast! After we got everything mixed together and the pans greased and filled we put everything into the oven and had a good time sitting around visiting while we waited for bread. It turned out great, and I'm happy about the success of the skills transfer. Plus, it was really cool to finally feel like I was giving something back to my community, even if it was just a new bread recipe.

These ladies just finished a several week long bakery course taught by Fomilenio, the branch of the Millenium Challange Corporation here in El Salvador. They now have some technical training in bread and pastry making, and are motivated to start a small business here in town. I want to try to help them as much as I can, but I know I am running out of time. Wouldn't it be a cool project to help open a small business? Maybe if they stay serious about the idea, the new volunteer that will be replacing me at the end of my service can help them with it! If nothing else, we made great bread and I have breakfast for the next few days.

(My ladies, making break.)

(Five loaves, ready for the oven.)

(Done!)