Book Review!: A Passion for Baking: Bake to celebrate, Bake to nourish, Bake for fun

Not only do I use cookbooks for their recipes, sometimes the advice, methods, and techniques written in them are just as valuable, if not more so.  I have altered other people's recipes over the years I've used them to fit my needs and adjust to what I see that works.  But, often, once I try out a new technique to learn a bit of wisdom about baking or cooking in general, I take that to heart and use it forever. 

For example, although many bread recipes suggest to add the salt to the wet/yeast mixture before adding any flour, I don't do that.  I learned several years ago (I don't even know from what source) to never add salt until you've added some flour first.  My general rule of thumb is to add the salt after adding 2 cups of the flour.  The reason behind this is the salt can easily kill the yeast, unless there is a barrier there, the flour.  I don't know if science can back this up or not.  But I have found that if I don't follow that rule, the bread is just more dense and doesn't rise as quickly.

Now, sometimes, different chefs and bakers will use opposing methods.  So try things out, be adventurous and then use what you find works best for you. 

A Passion for Baking by Marcy Goldman has so many new techniques and baking tips I haven't been able to try them all! But I plan to put many to use this month.

One that I haven't tried out (that I really should have when I baked the Buccellato) is something she calls "double sheeting."  She stacks two rimmed baking sheets to keep the bottom of the bread from browning too quickly, allowing an even browning all over.  Brilliant!  Next time I make a free form bread I am trying this out!

I would get this book for the yeast and quick bread recipes alone.  I love trying out new yeast breads.  There is something just so satisfying about making bread.  And all those scone recipes look delicious! Some of the other recipes might be a little too much (too many ingredients overwhelming the recipe) in my opinion.

The recipes I've tried however are delightful.  With clear and easy to follow directions, and great pictures throughout.

I can't wait to give this book more of a workout!