Market Day 3

   I'm sorry to say I have been neglecting my blogging responsibilities. But it has been a little hectic around here! I had cousins in town for a few days after Market Day 2 and then left immediately for a wedding in Destin <3. Then I got busy planning for Market Day 3 and another wedding going on in the Keys, which we're leaving for next Monday.
   So, here is the low down on Market Day 3: I offered the staples - sourdough and potato oatmeal. I nixed the rye because it was not as desirable as some of my other flavors. I'll bring it back occasionally. I absolutely had carrot cranberry since my samples did so well at Markey Day 2 and people were very disappointed after it sold out. This week I made 6 large loaves, 8 minis and a dozen muffins (just of the carrot cranberry). By 11 am, gone. Poof. Sold out. My potato oatmeal also sold very quickly. I'm guessing because it looks so golden brown and covered in oats, people think it's "healthier" for you than other breads. Total, I had 22 large loaves, 8 minis and the muffins. I went home with one loaf of sourdough, which we are currently enjoying at home.
   Lesson of the week: Cinnamon apple crumb is not a market day bread. First of all, this recipe does not mass produce well. The measurements don't work out well for some reason. I quadroupled everything - to the T. However, I only had enough batter for 3 loaves. Odd. But I had enough cinnamon crumb filling and topping for 5 or 6. Makes no sense, right? It's a very time consuming recipe because of the apple peeling and crumb making, layering everything; it stresses me out. I felt behind on everything else because of this one bread. Then there's the cost! There is $1 worth of butter in EACH LOAF! Plus the cost of fresh apples at $1.99/lb and walnuts at $7.99/lb. Forget it. I'd have to charge $8+ for each loaf to make any profit and no one would pay that. From now on, cinnamon apple crumb is by special order only - and only for friends and family orders. This bread is too valuable for strangers :)

   Quotes from Market Day 3:
Jen: "Would you like to try some carrot cranberry bread?"  Lady passerby: "Some who-da-what?!" Jen: "Carrot. Cranberry. Bread." Lady passerby makes a confused face and says, "That sounds weird..." I hand her a toothpick with a tasty cube of bread on the end. She makes a face like she had a mouth full of mud. (This face has NEVER happened to me before in the life of my bread making) I say, "You don't like it?" Lady passerby says, "It's....different." Long pause. She says, "How much are the muffins? Give me two." (Laugh of the day.)

Guy vendor: "Do you have something over here like a carrot something?" Jen: "Yes sir, I have some carrot cranberry bread. Would you like to try some?" Guy vendor: "No, skip the sample. My wife is over there raving about this bread. Just give me a loaf."

Husband and wife caterers stop by. They deliberate over trying a sample. They do and then I hook them. Jen: "Pretty good, huh?" Wife: "Ugh-mmmm. This is so good! I don't know if I should get any. I'm on a diet." More deliberation. Husband: "Just get a mini loaf. We'll split it and have a few bites and it will be gone." Wife: "Okay, give me the large loaf." Husband rolls his eyes. Wife: "And..." Husband: "AND? What are we doing here? I thought..." Wife: "Shhh! The potato oatmeal. Oh, this looks good. Thank you." They walk off bickering. LMAO.

I will be at maket this coming Saturday with sourdough, potato oatmeal, carrot cranberry (I'm thinking of making it my signature) and specialty flavor of the week will be banana nut - with SAMPLES! :) This week I may try to make ciabatta rolls and if they work out, I'll have bags of sandwich rolls as well. Stay tuned for that blog!