The Bread Book

Amazon.com
Linda Collister is devoted to bread making. The Bread Book, which features her recipes for loaves from all over the world, exemplifies her commitment to her subject but without the rigidity and complication--or oversimplification--of similar works. Calmly, and taking into account every possible bread-making contingency, she explains how to produce a variety of breads, from basic sandwich loaves to ciabatta. But it's the photos--more than 300 of them--that set this book apart. For example, the basic loaf recipe is accompanied by 22 detailed shots, showing every preparatory step from crumbling yeast to slashing the loaf before baking. Amateur and practiced bakers alike will welcome this careful illustration of a process that relies so much on visual cues. In addition to covering basic, flat, and quick breads, Collister offers chapters on such specialty loaves as fruit, nut, and savory breads (cheese and onion loaf), celebration breads (panettone and challah), and sourdough, rye, and enriched goods (babas, savarins, and Aberdeen butteries, a delicious Scottish breakfast roll). The Bread Book is so comprehensive and the recipes so tempting that it's unfortunate to note that it is compromised by inaccurate quantity conversions and a repeated typographical glitch that obscures ingredient requirements in several recipes. Collister states that a cup of flour (no distinction is made among types) equals four ounces rather than about five, the standard equivalent for white flours. Thus, for example, 6 cups of white bread flour is stated as equivalent to 680 grams, while actual measurement shows it to weigh 822 grams--a difference of about 5 ounces. The cup or gram measure as given is, therefore, unreliable. But readers aware of these problems may still want to consult the book for its instructive photos and the other useful information it provides. --Arthur Boehm


Review
"The secrets of international four-star chefs and local bakers."--Publishers Weekly

ANNOTATION

As grains are recognized as the foundation of a healthy diet, bread's popularity continues. Now, even the most novice of bakers will feel confident using this richly-illustrated book containing easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step color photographs. Recipes from around the world feature a wide variety of breads.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Here is a gorgeous compendium of the world's most delicious, best-loved breads, complete with step-by-step directions for baking them. These extraordinary, authentic recipes are personally recommended and used by four-star chefs and local cooking masters in countries and cultures spanning the continents. Over 130 different recipes are provided, ranging from the traditional Native American fry bread to the contemporary ciabatta loaves of Italy. Included are recipes for hearty basic breads, robust savory breads, mouth-watering and time-saving quick breads, distinctive sourdough and rye breads, cakelike fruit and nut breads, sumptuous enriched doughs, and ethnic fried doughs - as well as other delicious recipes for coffee cakes, pastries, and more. Every recipe is accompanied by thorough, step-by-step directions - all beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs. Complete with personal anecdotes, helpful tips, and a list of suppliers, this is an essential guide to perfecting the fine art of baking world-class gourmet breads.

SYNOPSIS

Here is a beautiful full-color guide to bread making—with over 130 recipes.

Around the world, for thousands of years, freshly baked breads have provided wholesome sustenance for the body and symbolic warmth for the soul. The Bread Book is a gorgeous compendium of the world's most delicious, best-loved breads, complete with step-by-step directions for baking them.

These extraordinary, authentic recipes are personally recommended and used by four-star chefs and local cooking masters in countries and cultures spanning the continents. Over 130 different recipes are provided, ranging from the traditional Native American fry bread to the contemporary ciabatta loaves of Italy. Included are recipes for hearty basic breads, robust savory breads, mouth-watering and time-saving quick breads, distinctive sourdough and rye breads, cakelike fruit and nut breads, sumptuous enriched doughs, and ethnic fried doughs—as well as other exceptional recipes for coffee cakes, pastries, and more.

Every recipe is accompanied by thorough, step-by-step directions—all beautifully illustrated with full-color how-to photographs. Complete with personal anecdotes, helpful tips, and information on ingredients, The Bread Book is an essential guide to perfecting the fine art of baking world-class gourmet breads.

FROM THE CRITICS

KLIATT - Shirley Reis