I am reviewing, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francso (available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble).Kristen at We are THAT Family mentioned it a couple times on her site. I've made my own bread before, in a bread machine, but I never stuck with it. It still seemed like a lot of details had to come together just right to make a good loaf.
I am not a baker. I don't like exact measurements and following the recipe word for word. But to review this book fairly, I wanted to make sure to do exactly what it said. I even read chapters 1-4 before jumping straight to the bread recipes.
Actually making the bread was quite easy! This recipe takes the stress out of knowing exactly what kind of yeast to buy. I had bought some in bulk at Sam's when I tried to make bread the first time with the bread machine, but I got the wrong kind for that recipe. It seems like any kind (as long as it's not expired) will work for the recipes in this book.
I made the dough one morning. I used the first and most basic recipe in the cookbook. It was so quick! The bread does most of the work for you, when it rests and rises. Day one pictures are the top row below.
I waited until the next morning to bake my first loaf. Day two pictures are on the bottom row below. It smelled so good, the boys and I couldn't wait to try it! We had a little for a snack and then I made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch!
You store the leftover dough in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. When you want a loaf, you simply cut off a section, let it rise a little while, and bake. Since the first loaf, I've made two more. I used one for a bread bowl and filled it with spinach dip and tore another loaf into bite-sized pieces to eat with the dip. With the remaining dough, I'm going to try to use it as pizza dough. I have tried and tried other pizza dough recipes that haven't worked for me, so hopefully, this one will!
The book is full of recipes for everything from sourdough bread to cinnamon rolls. I can't wait to keep trying more and more! I highly recommend the book for anyone interested in in baking (or eating!). If it can work for me, it can work for you!
Make sure you come back Thursday to see how to win a copy of the book Kama is reviewing, Same Kind of Different as Me!
Mary Hunt raved about this book this morning in her Everyday Cheapskate newsletter. It looks really good. I've never had much luck with yeast breads, but this looks easy enough. I might just have to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteI heard about this book from MomAdvice a while back. I'd really love to try it. I'm TERRIBLE at making bread by hand. I use my bread machine all of the time. I will have to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking this book out for us!! I would love to make dough ONCE and be able to use it for several days. I may give this a try!!
ReplyDeleteBread bowl. What a great idea. Homemade is much cheaper and tastier than the storebought. I will have to check this out!
ReplyDeleteWe love making homemade bread!
ReplyDeleteThat looks terrific. I've been making sourdough bread and we like it a lot, but this recipe seems more flexible.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing this book for months now!! I REALLY want it!! Thanks--I'm drooling now....
ReplyDeleteI have the book, haven't had a chance to make it yet but I want to!
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