Ever have anything you're scared to try to make at home or from scratch? I have tons of them. Here are five of them:
1. pie dough – ever had a terrible pie? Yeah, I'm scared but maybe this tutorial will unscare me? Tell me you have done it before and it's not that bad.
2. homemade pasta – I'm scared…yes scared. My friend, Paula, does it beautifully. I keep trying to get her to come over to my house and show me how to make pasta.
3. tofu – I would love to make it at home one day…the homemade stuff tastes the best. Growing up, we used to live near a family that made it from scratch and my Mom used to call her order in and pick it up on the way home. Ahh, the memories.
4. buttermilk biscuits – good ones are good, very good. bad ones are dry.
5. scones – same as biscuits. I have had really bad scones before I had my first amazing one at Crown & Crumpet in SF with Glory. I bought this cookbook and am dying to try my hand at homemade scones.
Now, how about a puppy picture?
That's Charley and Angel (the puppy). They have this evening routine of hanging out under my desk while I work.
If you follow me on instagram, you might be annoyed with聽loving聽my endless puppy pics. I can't help myself!
Now that I have aired my dirty laundry and told you what I'm scared of trying…is there anything you're afraid of trying to make at home in your kitchen? Tell me your five things. And if you have ever made any of the five from the above, tell me about it…I want to know all about it.
Disclosure: I have to say that there's an affiliate link in this post.
Heather Smith says
Pie dough, buttermilk biscuits, and scones aren’t so hard to make! The only thing you really have to avoid with all three is overworking the dough. I used to be afraid of pie dough too, but it’s pretty easy if you have a food processor and still perfectly doable with a pastry blender.
I too am afraid of homemade pasta, though. I roll out dumplings, and I’ve had them come out sort of tough and too thick before. I’d hate to have the same thing happen with pasta. I’d also really like to try making my own puff pastry, but I’m terrified of doing it!
Jessica says
Don’t be scared! You can dooo it! (said al la The Waterboy)
Robin says
1. pie crust
2. ravioli
3. cream puffs
4. fried chicken
5. lamb chops
kale says
ooh, pasta. definitely pasta. scary.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Other than the scones, you named all my fears as well! Anything yeast-related scares the crap out of me!
Alysha @Shesontherun says
Your puppies are SO CUTE! Like you, I am scared of pie crust but I do have homemade pasta tackled. Here’s a blog post I did on it:
http://shesontherun.com/2012/02/getting-crafty-pillows-and-pasta/
brandi says
seriously. come visit me already and we’ll make biscuits and scones. they’re so easy! and even the ugly ones taste good 馃檪
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
You need to make scones! I was always afraid to make them too and I finally did it this weekend. They are much easier than I expected and they turned out perfect. Now I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
Busy Kitchen Mum says
I am terrified of making scones aswell. My nana and my mum make such deliciously fluffy scones that I always think no matter how mine turn out they will never be as nice so I just never bother. LOL.
Shut Up & Cook says
1) Foie Gras
2) Hollondaise (though I’m working on conquering that)
3) Deboning a whole chicken
4) Pasta (with you there)
5) Puff pastry (why bother)
Great blog, by the way. Saw that you’re attending Seattle BlogHer Food Conference…hope to meet you there!
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
You must make all of these! Each of these are far better when homemade. Although I’ve never tried tofu yet. That one I want to try!
Jillian says
I know you can make pie dough and buttermilk biscuits! Check out my blog for those two recipes. My daughter made a homemade Pecan Pie and made her own pie crust and she was only like 11 at the time. 馃檪 You can do it.
Rachel Cooks says
Can’t wait to see you tackle every item!
Angie says
Love those puppy pics! I’m also scared of croissants.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What a great, honest post this is Julie! It’s so humbling to know I’m not the only one afraid of homemade pasta! Thanks for sharing. Also, I’m having a ChicWrap giveaway today that you should enter!
marissa @ the boot says
i’m legit scared of fish! the smell, cleaning it, the aftermath. but i’ll eat it like crazy! haha. trust me though, pasta is a cinch! once you try it you’ll see.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Julie, three of your things can be perfected with one tip. COLD BUTTER for pie crust, biscuits and scones. Work fast to get the dough in the oven while the butter is still cold, so these baked items are light and flaky.
PS… I hate making sushi at home and am scared of souffles! 馃檪
Paula- bell'alimento says
I would be HAPPY to show you how to make pasta. That would be a ball (literally ; ) xoxo
Dennis says
I always felt that way about pie dough. I would buy frozen and then was called out on it, I’m a chef. Not a big fan of Martha but this is really good and bullet proof.
http://www.marthastewart.com/283515/basic-pie-dough
Samantha @ Ferraro Kitchen says
Ahh pie dough!! Yes you read my mind!! I have pie pans that are collecting dust because I am too afraid of the delicate dough! We need to conquer this fear!
Aggie says
What a fun post Julie!
I’m pretty much afraid of anything that has yeast in it. It just doesn’t cooperate with me for some reason!
Larissa says
Ok, first – thanks for being vulnerable like all the rest of us. 馃檪
Pie Crust – easy peasy! Use a food processor to mix the dough – do not take your butter out of the fridge, keep it cold. also, be sure to use ice water. Just don’t let the food processor go to long and heat up the dough. Once you have the dough ball, you can roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper, put it in your pie plate and put it in the fridge or freezer for a little while before you are ready to bake it. If it’s a double crust, you would obviously split the dough in two and leave the top between the parchment. That makes the butter chill up and makes the crust flaky.
Pasta – also easy. Do it in the food processor also. Then put it through a manual past machine (I don’t have an electric one)…I have made fettucini noodles this way very successfully. They are delicious! also, I’ve helped make ravioli with my mom. And, if you are making a dumpling type noodle, you just need to roll it out thinly (with or without the machine) and cut it into pieces to drop in the boiling water.
Buttermilk biscuits – I haven’t tried them. Tried non-buttermilk ones and I rolled them too thin. They tasted fine, but were a little crunchier than I wanted. It worked ok for the sausage gravy I was serving them with, though.
Tofu – haven’t ever made it, can’t help there.
Scones – I have seen them made and they appear easy. I don’t think I’ve ever made them. Just give it a shot. How bad could it be?
good luck trying new things – be sure and blog about your successes and even the messes!
Karly says
I used to be scared to death of homemade pie crust, but I have conquered it and have been told repeatedly that I make the pie crust out there. My MIL even whispered to me that my crust is better than her mom’s, who is the pie crust queen.
If I can do it, you can totally do it. 馃檪
I’m scared of homemade cakes. Box mixes don’t even always turn out for me. The from scratch ones NEVER do.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I’m with you – pasta for sure but I really want to try it someday. In my dream world, Mario Batali teaches me how to make fresh homemade pasta lol. Total dream world. I want to try and master macarons too even though I’ve never had one, they just look so cute and dainty.
I have made pie dough plenty of times and it can be a pain but with the right recipe it’s really not bad at all. I guess pie dough is kind of like cheesecake and even pasta to some – everyone has something they fear or dread making, right?
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I would have never even thought to attempt making tofu at home! I’d be nervous to try that. I’m also not fond of making layer cakes, mine always seem to lean to one side.
Kathy - Panini Happy says
Not really afraid of making anything, but there are a slew of things I’m just plain not good at making (maybe I should be more afraid, lol). The one technique that stands out in my mind at the moment is folding in egg whites. I routinely deflate them…clearly I need a one-on-one tutorial.
Kristen says
OK girl – pasta and buttermilk biscuits…. you’ve just got to do it. Not nearly as hard as you would think it is and soooo good! Scones as well (but they are a lot like biscuits).
Kel says
Try King Arthur Flour site for scones. They have never failed me! I make them and freeze them. Then take out what I need to bake fresh.
Esi says
The key to making foods that you are scared of is to do it fearlessly. Easier said than done, but you will almost always get excellent results.
Kelli says
My tip for pie crust and scones, or any recipe where you have to cut cold butter into the four, is to not over-handle the dough (you want the butter to be cold and crumbly so it makes flaky air bubbles and you don’t want the flour to form too much gluten or they will be tough). You want to use a pastry cutter or a couple of forks or knives to cut the butter in so that you have nice little chunks of cold butter pretty evenly distributed for flakiness, then once you add your wet ingredients don’t overmix. Then maybe knead it together just a few times (my scone recipes say no more than 8 times or so) until you have a ball that comes together. Pat it down into a disk. For pie dough wrap in plastic and chill according to recipe (again taking care not to overhandle when you roll it out). For scones just pat down into a circle or rectangle to about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and slice into rustic triangles.
I’ve made everything on your list and tofu is by far the most difficult thing I have ever made. I think the coagulant I used made it taste funny and it used a ridiculous amount of cheesecloth for a little pound of tofu. It could have just been the recipe I was using but it wasn’t really worth it for me. Cheaper to just buy it at an Asian grocery store than to buy soybeans.
I’m afraid of making those little steamed pork buns, but I’ve always wanted to. I’ve never had luck with steaming bread and the filling seems really complicated.
Jennie says
I’m scared to can-to make pickles or jam or something. Nothing like the fear of Bochelism (or however that’s spelled) to put a damper on a good time. I made Smitten Kitchen’s jalepeno cheddar scones-and they turned out pretty good. I’m also kinda scared of roast beef-and making a turkey-even though I’ve done it a few times and it really is a piece of cake. I just forget by the time November rolls around again. Deep-frying a turkey? That sounds super super scary.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Julie, come on over to my blog for scones, biscuits and pie dough. I’ve not yet posted my pasta. And it has NEVER even occurred to me to make my own tofu! I don’t know anyone who has made it. Does it really taste better than store-bought? Well, of course, it must–everything tastes better when it’s homemade, why not tofu! I’m not afraid to cook anything–though there are certain things I’ll never cook because I would never eat them! Like organ meats–I have an aversion to them!
Vicky W says
Torted cakes. I’m ok with making two cake layers in two pans, but when asked to cut the cake layers, even with all the cake tools in the world, I’m horrible at making them even! So Sacher Torte is on the list of things I *want* to make but am afraid to attempt.
Gingerbread houses baffle me. I have lovely ideas for them, but even simple construction methods fail. Possibly the wrong consistency of icing.
Shortcake biscuits – not exactly buttermilk biscuits, which I can do nicely. It seems the larger the biscuit, the more difficult it is for me to get them to work properly.
anything other than plain fresh pasta scares me. I love spinach pasta, but I’m terrified of making fresh spinach pasta for fear the taste won’t be correct.
Strudel dough absolutely TERRIFIES me. I won’t even attempt it. I will happily buy frozen phyllo dough to make strudels.
cassie says
bagels and croissants are two things that are on my list, and have been forever, but I can’t seem to bring myself to attempting either. I will get there someday!
Smedette says
I was always afraid of homemade pasta, but now it’s the only pasta we eat. Pie crust is still my nemesis.
Cheryl says
Hi Julie, I was once like you…afraid to tackle homemade pasta. For a girl that grew up in an Italian houehold with great cooks, I had to conquer that fear.
After a few hits and a lot of misses, I got it! If you want to see how easy it can be, take a look at my blog. I have a couple posts on homemade pasta; regular and wheat. I’d love to know if you give it a try. (P.S. Love your blog!)
Lisa says
Pasta dough is fairly simple. I am to the point on my pasta dough I can make fresh in the same amount of time I can do a box. It tastes SO much better.
Won’t touch tofu (that stuff is NASTY)
I don’t do pie dough scones or biscuits, but that is because I don’t do too much baking. I have made my own pie dough though and I thought it was fairly simple and it came out very well. I just don’t bake often.
Natalie says
There are so many! And my list actually clashes a little with yours (pasta, pie crust..)
But here are my own 5:
1. Bread. Sounds simple enough, and I’ve found some awesome no knead recipes.. But I’m terrified that I’ll make a dense, doughy mess. And I love bread too much to do that to myself.
2. Souffl茅. As cliche as that is, I’ve been hearing about how finicky it is before I even started cooking. So.. No.
3. Yogurt/Cheese. Whether I’m scared or just lazy is debatable.
4. Sausages/Anything requiring me to grind my own meat. Have you read/watched Sweeney Todd??
5. Nut Butter. Because I don’t like chunky/crunchy nut butters. And I’m yet to find a food processor (that’s not industrial grade) that gets homemade butter as smooth and creamy as the store bought ones.
Julie Deily says
Thanks for sharing your list! I would love to try cheeses one day. Breads, I’m scared of too! I’m thinking about taking a breads class one day.
JoAnne Cerise Kelley says
My pastry recipe is my mothers and she won so many prizes for her pies at the fair that she stopped entering. as she was getting embarrassed. lol It is so flakey and so easy you will be amazed if you tried it. If you would like the recipe please email me at my email or facebook me and I will be happy to share.
RB says
Honestly, I’m afraid to make toast. I can, but to this day it scare me because I end up somehow burning it at LEAST half the time. I can make a 5 course meal that will make you slap your granny it’s so good. I’ve NEVER made a dry turkey. I can bake like there is no tomorrow. I just can’t make toast. About 50% of the time I burn it. It’s crazy! It’s a huge running joke in our family. I’ll make a huge breakfast, but someone else will HAVE make the toast. Unless I stand there and do nothing but watch the toast as it is toasting I’ll burn it. Besides Tofu and Scones I’ve tried everything on that list (and accomplished it). I’ve always been willing to TRY anything, but to this day I have a hard time making toast.
Jeanette says
I used to be afraid of cooking Indian food, but after I took a few classes, I feel comfortable now. I’ve never been good at pie crust, but I’ve made pasta (you have to try it Julie, it’s really easy), scones (also very easy), tofu (hasn’t come out the right consistency yet). I think I am most intimidated by how to make good gluten-free bread. I have one recipe that works, but would love to get my hands on another.
Diane {Created by Diane} says
LOVE this post, we share some fears! Wish we could conquer them together!!! Yeah the scone thing thought I have tips, I LOVE scones. tip one ICE cold BUTTER, second tip, cream, yep that my tip and I make scones often, so if you learn any more, pretty please share with me 馃檪
Julie Deily says
So cream, no milk? Thanks so much, Diane!!
Tracy says
No reason to be scared to cook anything. I never thought that I couldn’t do it and so far have been successful in all of your list, except tofu…no thanks. I found the pie crust from America’s test kitchen recipe with vodka is fool proof. Pasta is the easiest dough there is to make. Throw eggs, flour and a little water in a mixer and don’t over mix. Let rest and hand roll or use a pasta machine. Buscuits are also very similar. Cold shortening, don’t over mix and you will have light biscuits. I’ve made scones a bunch of times years ago but don’t really care for them so it’s been a while. Again it wasn’t too hard and if you screw up what do you lose. A little bit of time and not very costly ingredients.
Words of wisdom from an old broad who has spent too many years in a kitchen.
Susan in the Boonies says
I don’t understand.
What is the affiliate link?
Julie Deily says
Hey Susan, the link to the book I bought is an affiliate link which means if you click on it and buy it or any other items from Amazon, I’ll make a little change…enough to maybe buy a cup of coffee. 馃檪
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I’ve always wanted to try homemade pasta too. I’m not really scared to do it, but I just keep putting it off! I think Paula needs to get us all together for a class…
Scones aren’t really all that difficult. I have a few tips for making them in my lemon poppy seed scones post here: http://unsophisticook.com/lemon-poppy-seed-scones/
Julie Deily says
Thanks for the tips on scones. And I agree about Paula…I have been working on her!!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
The two items I am telling you that you MUST make ASAP are pasta and scones… there’s really nothing to be afraid of.
Personally, I’m scared of making Indian food. I need to get over it. :-/
Julie Deily says
I think we all need to get over our fears! 馃檪 How about this…you make Indian food this year and I’ll make pasta and scones? 馃檪
Denise @ Creative Kitchen says
Pasta is easy…but I’ve only done egg noodles. Maybe start with those? They’re super easy! Biscuits and scones are easy too….I know you’ll do fine! I once checked out a book from the library about biscuits and it had really great biscuit tips. It matters the flour your use (southern type…can’t remember the name is best)…also very little handling so you don’t develop the gluten.
I just did pie crust for the first time 2 weeks ago. It went well!
I enjoyed this post…..am sure I have many things I can list. 馃槈
Julie Deily says
Thanks, Denise!! Let’s hear yours… 馃檪
Naomi says
Okay, pie crust not bad at all. Make it is food processor and makes it ten times easier. But guess what? I still hate making it. I don’t like the downtime before rolling it-I’m impatient.
Scones-sticky work, but so worth it! Homemade biscuits only seem intimidating, but I was scared when I first made it.
As for the tofu, I’ve never tried it and I’m with you scary!!!
And finally I love this post, Julie!
Julie Deily says
Love you, Naomi! 馃檪
RJ says
Pie dough is super easy. So is pasta. I make them both all the time. There isn’t anything I am scared to make because I figure what at best it is good and at worst you throw it in the trash. It is how you learn. Sometimes you have to mess up to figure what works for you. I will say I am still on the search for the perfect biscuit but even the not moist ones are ok when you drown them in gravy. Go for it. You can do it, homemade pasta is the best!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Homemade pie dough is super easy. Lots of lard and butter 馃檪 Oh and I”m scared of homemade pasta too. Something about the whole process sounds time consuming and scary…haha
Julie Deily says
Ooh, lard…hmm. Thanks!!
katie says
Julie–we are totally twins! The only other thing I would add to that list would be homemade cheese like ricotta and marscapone!
Julie Deily says
We really need to take that pie class together! I with you on homemade ricotta & marscapone…I do want to try it though.
Jen M O says
I always make my pie dough in a food processor. Just remember, try not to over process/mix when you are pie dough, biscuits, or scones. Both are really easy to make. I have never tried making tofu. I get intimidated by long recipes with lots of steps since if I mess up on one step then the recipe is done.
Julie Deily says
Jen, thanks so much! I’m definitely going to try pie dough this year and will use my food processor. 馃檪
Grishma @ZaikaZabardast says
aah…never thought you would be afraid of anything!
I am also afraid of making bread (never comes out right), never tried pasta – oh wait! I did. I made ravioli once – not so good. SO that one is on the list.
Then I am scared of making rice flour momos – it somehow does not work for me.
But if you are interested in scones, I make these buttermilk scones that are fluffy, airy and has nice texture. Oh and of course no eggs 馃檪 http://zaikazabardast.com/2011/07/03/berrylemonscones/
Maria says
I want to come cook with you! 馃檪 I love making homemade pasta, biscuits, and scones! I’ve made homemade tofu too! I am still scared of pie crust though. Josh does that job:)
Julie Deily says
Oh my goodness, I would love to make that happen!! I love that Josh does the pie crust. 馃檪
Julie Deily says
BTW, I should asked the first time, I want to hear all about your tofu experience! Do you have a blog post on it?
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Julie, I would have thought you to be a fearless cook! Scones are easy and pasta isn’t so bad. I am intimidated by Indian food. I love it but haven’t had the courage to try it at home.
Julie Deily says
Haha, no way! I’m scared to try Indian food too!!
Argentum Vulgaris says
Hey, I’m a chef and I’m scared to make some things. I stay well away from pastries and bread. Tofu, I wouldn’t touch for health reasons (unfermented soya) as for the scones, not enough butter, your mixture is too dry; butter/flour ratio should be 1:4 (eg 2oz butter – 8oz flour).
Good luck
AV
Rachel R. says
I am also afraid to try homemade pie crust, and have failed miserably at biscuits from scratch.
Amber S says
I have made scones, they are not scary at all! So easy, you should jump right in! I’ve also made buttermilk biscuits for the first time on the fly and they came out great! Just gotta do the research, and give it a go!
Like you, I am scared of making pasta even though I want to so freakin’ bad. Also, pot stickers. Those cute little crescent shapes are sure to elude me if I ever try! Souffle, as I’m sure is most peoples nightmare, and anything where you have to whisk egg into a warm mixture. I’m so afraid of scrambling them.
Nisrine says
I’m definitely scared of making pasta. While I know I will enjoy making it, I just haven’t dared make it yet
Julie Deily says
It’s scary isn’t it? We should just try it…I think we overthink it.
Lenore says
I seriously could have written this list myself! I’m especially scared of making scones because I’ve never liked the texture of one I’ve gotten at a restaurant or bakery.
Julie Deily says
I hear you!! When I had those amazing ones in SF, I knew I had to try to tackle them!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
We have the same fears….hopefully this will change for both of us!
jessica lynn says
I like it when food bloggers talk about things they’re scared of making鈥攊t makes you guys more human to the rest of us 馃檪
I’m scared of making croissants. I want to SO bad, but it seems so hard and time consuming. I’m also scared of making pasta鈥擨’m afraid it’d come out dense and gummy. My husband is a pretty great baker, so we have delicious homemade pie crusts and biscuits too often. And as for scones, these are my favorite to make and they’re easy, fluffy, moist, and delicious: http://thetaleoftwokitchens.blogspot.it/2011/05/classic-scones.html
Julie Deily says
Oh I’m definitely not afraid to talk about this sort of thing. LOL
Croissants almost made this list of five things, I don’t think I’ll ever try. So many can make it way better than me. As for pasta, I really want to. Thanks for sharing this recipe for scones!! I’m going to check it out.