Maybe it’s the weather; maybe the economic climate; but despite harbingers of spring (sightings of grass beneath dirty snow), I am feeling pretty low. Usually as energetic as lively bread dough, today I feel as deflated as pizza dough without yeast.
It didn’t help when stopping by a funky cafe for a moccacino and deciding to use the loo, a sign above it said: Warning! Do not give up hope. Was that with regard to concerns alimentary, economic or general?
The Man from Hope told President Obama the same thing the sign told me. Hearing bad news from the President is a real downer so it’s important to show hope and optimism even if, like a cold yeast dough, it’s hard to see signs of life in the economy.
Isn’t that what Mission Accomplished was all about? That kind of wishful thinking along with “the economy is fundamentally sound” led us to a staggering $1.2 trillion in debt (and growing faster than I can edit this blog).
Frankly, I’d rather know just how bad things really are, so that I won’t worry that they will get any worse. The problem is, no one, really knows how bad things are or when they will improve.
After President Obama’s forceful opening in his speech two night’s ago, “The United States of America will emerge stronger than before,” he proceeded to outline the areas that needed help, and that no doubt will receive help, starting with the banks because “helping banks is helping people”.
Listening to the litany of jobs, auto industry, health care, education, energy and the environment that require assistance was breathtaking and nerve wracking. (Is there any part of America that doesn’t need help? Yes, apparently McDonald’s is doing quite well, after all fries are feel good food! )
And how quickly we’ve come to this. Imagine a year ago.
There were murmurs of recession, but from doomsayers. The notorious fluttering butterfly wing twitched in some far-off bank office, disturbing the universe. A tsunami of debt now threatens to wash away the economic landscape we once knew. What will be left and where will we be a year from now?
And that’s what bothers me the most about Obama’s speech. There is a helluva lot of bad news couched in a typically American can-do framework. Kind of like the old westerns with a lot of the sherrif’s deputies fanning out of town in hot pursuit of the bad guys, hoping that one of them will find them…and they always do, only not before some blood has been shed, some lives lost.
But hope springs eternal and there actually is another certainty beyond death and taxes and more bubbles: even with global warming, winter will eventually give way to spring.
Sure, we will rise out of this economic disaster eventually. Like a sulky dough which rises briskly when exposed to sunshine, the economy too will one day revive. Only let’s hope that when it does, we’ve taken some pointers from bread bakers: the right balance of ingredients, respect for environmental conditions, judicious handling of our product, and patience. Only in this way can the hope of raw materials turn into the certainty of reality.
Quick & Easy Naan Flat Bread
Makes 4 flat breads
Most yeast doughs are like an economy in crisis: you never know exactly how much stimulus in the form of water you will need. Whole wheat flour and atmospheric humidity can affect how much liquid is needed to achieve the right consistency. Flour takes its time absorbing the water so you may find that even after the dough is kneaded, it’s still a bit stiff. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon, kneading it in until the dough is lightly tacky.
250g all-purpose flour
250g whole wheat flour, preferably stone ground
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 1/3 cups yogurt
4-5 TBsp water
melted butter
- Mix all the ingredients into a smooth dough.
- Knead for about 5-8 minutes. The dough will be tacky but shouldn’t be sticky.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour. Fold the dough in on itself from the outside to the center giving it a few turns.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- 1 hour before using, remove from fridge and divide into 4 rounds. Cover with plastic.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Press the rounds into flat breads about 9″ in diameter. It’s okay for them to show finger marks. They won’t be smooth. This will give you great bubbles.
- Heat a ridged grill pan or cast iron frying pan (at least 9″ in diameter) and brush with a little oil.
- Gently lift one round and using the palm of your hand to center it, lay it on the hot griddle.
- Grill for about 3 minutes on one side or until the top side is pocked with bubbles and the underside has dark grill marks.
- Flip the dough and cook an additional minute or two.
- Remove and place in a warm (250F) oven covered with a lightly dampened towel as you make the last three.
- Brush lightly with melted butter, sprinkle with a topping: cheese, sesame seeds, smoked salt.
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.-GB Shaw
He who has never hoped can never despair. – Dale Carneige.
Now, that’s hope for you.
Here’s hoping for better times!