skip to main content

Artisan bread books - recommendations?

15 years ago

I ALMOST bought an artisan bread book last month at the grocery store. Don't remember which one it was, but it wasn't the NY Times one. I really love artisan loaves but mostly eat the whole grain kind. I can't afford it anymore and really miss it. Does anyone have a recipe book for this kind of thing that they really like? I know there has been a lot of discussion on the techniques here. I have also bookmarked some Web sites on it too. I am also interested in experimenting more with my bread machine. I have yet to use just the dough setting.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

grainlady_ks
15 years ago
In no particular order...

-Almost anything by Peter Reinhart: "Crust & Crumb", "Artisan Breads Every Day", "The Bread Baker's Apprentice", etc.

-BREAD - A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes
by Jeffrey Hamelman - Director of the Bakery and Baking Education Center, King Arthur Flour

-King Arthur Flour used to have a video: The Baker's Forum ARTISAN BREADS. I learned more hints and tips from that video than in the large number of books on the subject in my cookbook library. Sometimes seeing IS believing!

-Beth Hensperger's - "BREAD MADE EASY - A Baker's First Bread Book" (great instructions AND recipes); as well as "The Pleasure of Whole-Grain Breads" which includes recipes for the bread machine and a wide range of breads, not just "Artisan".

-"Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day - Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois - for a VERY non-traditional slant to Artisan Bread making.

-"Illustrated Encyclopedia - BREADS OF THE WORLD - by Jennie Shapter

You might check your local library for books/videos on the subject, as well as classes. You will find Artisan Breads in nearly all bread machine cookbooks.

Such as:
-The Cook's Encyclopedia of BREAD MACHINE BAKING - by Jennie Shapter (one of the most beautiful cookbooks!)

-Grainlady
jessyf
15 years ago
I would use addall.com to look for any book, used
Related Discussions
Artisan Bread-my first try!
Q
Comments (34)
Looks great! I recently started making the no knead breads. They're so easy! I've made a white loaf and 3 whole wheat/white flour loaves so far. I used the recipe where you let the dough sit for 12-18 hours, covered, fold it over, let it rise 2 hours and then bake in a Dutch oven. I think I'll try the Asiago recipe you've posted. Thanks! Robin
...See More
Has anyone baked out of 'Artisan Bread in 5 Min a Day'?
Q
Comments (33)
Yes, I certainly understand your motivation. If it didn't work for me, I would not be writing, as I am. I am a very inexperienced baker. Are you using SAF yeast? I ask because, I don't know yeast from a television, but, an experienced, respected, inspirational baker on the kitchens forum has recently discovered that red star yeast does not always work and SAF always does. So to give me every chance of success, I got SAF yeast. I love the smell, too. I keep th e yeast in the freezer. I am so inexperienced that I researched where to keep the yeast. This baker also only uses bottled spring water. I still use tap water. The authors say kosher salt. So I use kosher salt. And I bought King Arthur flour, because bakers whom I respect use KA flour. Just trying to increase my odds of success in this goofy adventure. Linnea, these are only my thoughts. I have been lucky with abin5. Happy and excited. If you think your flour may be the culprit in not achieving what you want, then think of solutions---change brands, further research the flour brand/water ratio. Good luck.
...See More
Artisan Bread in 5 - What Did I Do Wrong??
Q
Comments (14)
I forgot to say that I let the dough do its final rise on parchment and lift it by the corners and put it into the preheated cast iron pot. I also use a smaller cast iron piece - either my 2 1/2 quart oval or my 4 quart oval. I've also successfully baked it in a covered clay Rommertopf baker. Individual loave/rolls baked on a stone. In a clay baker. Cinnamon Rolls Grilled Pizza Basic White Except for the loaf with some whole wheat flour, all were made with the basic recipe. Now if you have a way to keep popovers from turning out like hockey pucks at this altitude, please tell me - I'm totally unsuccessful with them. Lee
...See More
The Best Artisan Bread....ever!
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks, Beth. I love Diane Rhem and "Warshington". She makes me smile whenever I listen to her. Not to turn this into a gushfest, but what I really love is her ability to immerse herself into the subject. Wish I had heard this show. Jo
...See More
User
15 years ago
I also like Amy Scherber's Breads.
arley_gw
15 years ago
If you want something that emphasizes exclusively whole grain baking (i.e., no white flour whatsoever), check out Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book.

If you've ever lusted for a brick oven, check out the Bread Builders. Includes plans for a brick oven, and lots of info about the science of breadmaking.

Here is a link that might be useful: the bread builders
lpinkmountain
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks folks! I have the Laurel's Kitchen book, that's where I learned to make bread. But frankly I just don't have it in me to do the whole process by hand. Looks like I may have to take a trip to the bookstore this weekend--FUN! Thanks for the recommendations!

No room for a brick oven in my tiny house and yard, but maybe I'll have to invest in a baking stone.
booberry85
15 years ago
lpink, I really like Beard on Bread although I don't know if it is "artisan."

I also love the website www.thefreshloaf.com
Lots of great stuff there, from very basic to very advanced and everything in between.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Fresh Loaf
bigfred12
15 years ago
I use "Home Baking" by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid. All of their cookbooks combine wonderful recipes with terrfic travelogues and amazing photographs. I do not know if they are available in the states, but chapters.ca has them for sure.
jessyf
15 years ago
I've seen discussions of using Home Depot type quarry tiles (unglazed, red, 'saltillo' types) for pizza stones. Much less dinero.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Ideas for Bread Lovers

By Tiffany Carboni

Any way you slice it, a kitchen designed with bread in mind conveys warmth and homeyness

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Be Your Own Artisanal Chef

By Mariko Jackson

You may never settle for prepared foods again with these cooking tools, gadgets and storage pieces

FEEL-GOOD HOME 15 Cozy Book Nooks and What They Want You to Read

By Becky Harris

Put the beach reads away; these comfy spaces are creating a fall reading list. What books do they suggest to you?

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Get a Book Club Going

By Laura Gaskill

Kick back with friends and a thought-provoking read for an event that’s entertaining and educational all at once

LIFE 'Not My Precious Books!' — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library

By Alison Hodgson

Have your books and neatness too, with these ideas for paring down and straightening up a beloved collection

BOOKS Book Tour: Contemporary New York City Architecture

By Becky Harris

John Hill's guide to NYC highlights the most notable homes and buildings from 2000-2010

LIFE Savor Natural Scents at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Bread fresh from the oven, luscious lavender, just-mown grass ... the loveliest fragrances for the home are also the most natural

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Cast Concrete Countertops With a Personal Twist

By Becky Harris

From frame making to pouring to inlays, learn how concrete counters are cast — and how an artisan embellishes them

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

COMMUNITY Tour a Pioneering Beach Town That Fosters Community

No cars, mixed-use zones, strict building codes ... a new book takes us inside Seaside, a champion of New Urbanism

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

Tried and true tart recipes

18

Stuffed burgers - what do you like to find in yours?

15

No-Bake Summer Desserts?

20

Sigh. I bought some ice cream...

16

Salt, just a little pinch

20