Mistakes were made.
I’ve seen so many of these baking sheet tartlets that I was fully confident I could make one with no recipe. This is how I go into any new endeavor. Headfirst, full of confidence from past experiences of doing other things well, and directly plant my face into a wall.
Do I think I’m a failure as a novice baker because these tartlets didn’t come out as expected? Not at all. Although they were ugly, the phyllo dough a bit too dry, and the apples were cut too thin, they were edible. Also, I learned what I did wrong. I mistakenly believed a fifteen second video gave me all the information I needed.
I wouldn’t take life advice from a fifteen second video, why did I think baking advice would be different? Lesson learned.
Now, I’ll go recipe hunting on Pinterest. I love to read those little stories from the bakers before I get into the actual recipe. I’ll also do some research about working with a dough I’ve ate plenty of but never actually used in a recipe.
Will my next tartlet be perfect? Probably not, but that’s the process of learning a new skill.
It’s a life lesson, really. We don’t come out of the womb perfectly knowing everything. We’re always learning. It’s the trying that’s important.
That’s also how I go into any new endeavor. Unskilled, overconfident, but I eventually realize I need to learn more and do the work. I’m like a dog with a bone when it comes to getting better at something.
I’m that way with writing especially. I’ve noticed the clear difference between my first forays into writing and my tenth book. There’s only onward and upward from here. As long as I keep learning and getting back up when I fall down.
So, if you’re feeling a little incompetent at something. Keep trying. Learn what needs fixing and fix it.
Maybe I’ll never be the best at baking sheet apple tartlets, but I’ll eventually make ones that are my best. That’s all we can ever ask for. Isn’t it?
Best Wishes,
T.J.