My kid asked why we knead bread and it made me stop and think

I was showing my 8 year old how to make a basic white loaf last weekend, and she just looked at me and said 'but why do we have to push it so much?'. I gave my usual answer about gluten, but then she said 'so it's like giving the dough a hug to make it strong?'. That hit different, lol. I've been doing this for 15 years and always just treated it as a mechanical step. Now I'm trying to be more mindful about the feel and time, not just the clock. Anyone else have a simple moment that changed how you do a routine task?

3 comments

3 Comments

anthonyrivera4d ago

Ever think a hug could be over-kneaded?

kimblack4d ago

Totally, like when it goes from comforting to just awkwardly long (you know the kind).

martinez.quinn4d ago

It’s a power move, plain and simple. Someone is trying to prove a point by holding on too long. You go from feeling safe to scanning the room for an exit. The worst part is you both know it’s gone on way past normal. It turns a nice thing into a weird test of patience.