To relieve some stress and pass the time, bake these cakes, cookies, loaves and more with your pantry ingredients.
By
Kristen AikenHead of Life and Commerce
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The coronavirus is affecting many aspects of our everyday lives, but one area it shouldn’t impact is your home kitchen.
Researchers are still learning the specifics of how COVID-19 is transmitted, but we do know that the disease can spread through droplets that are released from the nose or mouth when someone coughs, sneezes or exhales ― as of now, there’s no evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food.
If you stock up on the right foods and the right amount of groceries, a self-quarantine doesn’t have to leave you hungry. In fact, if you’re healthy, it can be a chance to finally spend a few extra hours in the kitchen and master some baking recipes that you haven’t had the time to tackle. After all, now you’ve got plenty of time to binge-watch “The Great British Bakeoff” and find some inspiration.
Moreover, it’s been proved that baking can bring a host of psychological benefits, one of which is stress relief. The stress many of us are feeling right now is related to a host of mental and physical problems, and finding ways to cope with that stress is important for leading a healthy life. Baking can help with that.
Not sure what to make? Look in your pantry ― if you have flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder, you’re on the right path. Your refrigerator should already be stocked with butter, eggs and milk, the fundamentals for so many baked goods.
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Peanut Butter Cookies. These easy peanut butter cookies have a delightful crumbly texture and sweet, nutty flavor that we just can't get enough of. ...
Interestingly, salt can help kill bacteria, so if you want candy, a salted caramel or two might actually help. Also highly appropriate: gelato, pudding, panna cotta, sorbet, any soft dessert with lemon (such as pudding or custard or lemon curd). Drizzling honey on top of your treat is highly suggested, too.
"Muffins are so quick and relatively simple to make. Most quick bread and cake recipes can be baked into muffins. The most important thing to remember is not to over mix the batter or overfill your muffin cups," says Brown. "You want your muffins to be tender yet moist and rise beautifully in the pan.
Caffeine and acidic foods should be avoided close to bedtime, while desserts made with pistachios, almonds, and tart cherries can promote sleep. Choosing non-chocolate desserts and those made with whole grains can also help.
Many people with anxiety feel that they lack control over the world around them, and baking helps them regain a sense of power. Baking often requires repetitive motions—for example, stirring batter or kneading dough—which can be calming.
Depression Cooking is a zine of easy recipes designed to make mealtime a little easier, in the no-nonsense sense of the word, for depressed humans like me. It demonstrates one of the many lessons that I've learned during COVID: that we can care for one another without being physically present.
Don't be a source of foodborne illness. Pathogens can be introduced into food from infected humans who handle the food without thoroughly washing their hands after going to the bathroom.
While high temperatures used in cooking and baking will kill some viruses and bacteria, what about after the food is prepared? Between plating and serving the food to repurposing leftovers for lunches, it's best to leave this to someone healthy.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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