Cooking
Given the current state of the economy, it feels somewhat odd to be making shopping recommendations this holiday season. But I can still get behind buying food and drink, cookbooks, and cooking utensils. I dare say each will undoubtedly go to very good use. In the cookbook category I'm recommending a variety of different books, hopefully something for everybody. Today's installment is for bakers and wannabe bakers. Check back tomorrow for cookbooks for families and the cocktail set...
My first pick is The Art & Soul of Baking. This massive book is nothing short of amazing. For beginners or for master bakers, it has the tips, the techniques and the recipes to ensure success. It is super practical and yet indulgent at the same time. Learn about yeast and quick breads, pastries, pies, cookies, cakes, tarts, fruit desserts, custards and puddings, plus souffles, cheesecakes and more. Even how to stock your pantry is included. Recipes include classic brownies, pot pies, Danish pastries, elegant soufflés, breads, pizza and are peppered with tips "what the pros know."
Sweet!From Agave to Turbinado, Home Baking with Every Kind of Natural Sugar and Sweetener is the latest book from Mani Niall. Let me start by saying I have enjoyed every single one of Mani Niall's baked goods I have ever tried. He is a terrific baker and knows a lot about working with different sweeteners. He literally wrote the book on honey. What I really like about this book is that Niall tells you which recipes are good for beginners, and the hows and why each recipe works. Interestingly enough he even includes some savory dishes that rely on interesting sweeteners like palm sugar. I've flagged Lemon Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream and Raspberries which uses agave syrup and Cranberry Almond Breakfast Bars. Wonder which one I will make first?
Another baking book for bakers of all levels is Baking for all Occasions by Flo Braker. Flo Braker really ought to be named Flo Baker. She is revered by just about every serious pastry chef I know, ok, I only know about half a dozen, but still, this woman knows what she's doing! The recipes are super precise using both gram and ounce measurements. If you don't already have a Flo Braker book in your collection, this might be the one to tempt you with recipes like Persimmon Bread Puddings, Tangy Lemon Custard Tart with Pomegranate Gelee and Congo Brownies.
Last but not least, Field Guide to Cookies by Anita Chu. This is my friend Anita's book, so how could I not recommend it? Anita is the talented local pastry chef and blogger. Her blog is Dessert First so you know she is serious about her baking! I love that it has photos of the cookies so you know what the end result is supposed to look like. For the serious cookie baker or the novice this is a perfect little guide to just about every cookie under the sun. I tried several of Anita's cookies at a recent book party and all of them were very good.
- Beyond Wheat Flour
There are a lot of food bloggers and recipe developers devoted to creating only gluten free recipes. I am not one of them. But I recently had a client ask me to develop some gluten free baked goods and so I experimented with several non-wheat flours including...
- Top Cookbooks 2010: Sweets & Special Interests
When it comes to cookbooks, there is one for just about everyone. There are also certain categories like baking and pastry where it is impossible to pick just one. SWEETS Baking is not easy, but some cookbook authors explain it effortlessly. At first...
- Cookbooks And Chocolate And Spatulas!
The Menu for Hope campaign has been extended until December 31st, allowing you a little more time to give back and maybe win something wonderful. For every $10 donated, you earn one virtual raffle ticket to bid on a prize of your choice. At the end of...
-
I have to admit it. I am just not a baker. I try. But it's not my thing. I can make cookies or brownies if I stick to tried and true recipes, but cakes? Please. Let's not go there... My blog is burning part 3. If you haven't heard of it...
- 117 Down, 96 To Go…
I had a cookie mini-marathon today. I mixed up four batches of cookies and baked off two. I’ll bake the others tomorrow night. They’re for a meeting at work on Wednesday. I used three different recipes – all old favorites. The chocolate pecan...
Cooking
Cookbooks for Bakers & Wannabe Bakers
Given the current state of the economy, it feels somewhat odd to be making shopping recommendations this holiday season. But I can still get behind buying food and drink, cookbooks, and cooking utensils. I dare say each will undoubtedly go to very good use. In the cookbook category I'm recommending a variety of different books, hopefully something for everybody. Today's installment is for bakers and wannabe bakers. Check back tomorrow for cookbooks for families and the cocktail set...
My first pick is The Art & Soul of Baking. This massive book is nothing short of amazing. For beginners or for master bakers, it has the tips, the techniques and the recipes to ensure success. It is super practical and yet indulgent at the same time. Learn about yeast and quick breads, pastries, pies, cookies, cakes, tarts, fruit desserts, custards and puddings, plus souffles, cheesecakes and more. Even how to stock your pantry is included. Recipes include classic brownies, pot pies, Danish pastries, elegant soufflés, breads, pizza and are peppered with tips "what the pros know." Sweet!From Agave to Turbinado, Home Baking with Every Kind of Natural Sugar and Sweetener is the latest book from Mani Niall. Let me start by saying I have enjoyed every single one of Mani Niall's baked goods I have ever tried. He is a terrific baker and knows a lot about working with different sweeteners. He literally wrote the book on honey. What I really like about this book is that Niall tells you which recipes are good for beginners, and the hows and why each recipe works. Interestingly enough he even includes some savory dishes that rely on interesting sweeteners like palm sugar. I've flagged Lemon Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream and Raspberries which uses agave syrup and Cranberry Almond Breakfast Bars. Wonder which one I will make first?Another baking book for bakers of all levels is Baking for all Occasions by Flo Braker. Flo Braker really ought to be named Flo Baker. She is revered by just about every serious pastry chef I know, ok, I only know about half a dozen, but still, this woman knows what she's doing! The recipes are super precise using both gram and ounce measurements. If you don't already have a Flo Braker book in your collection, this might be the one to tempt you with recipes like Persimmon Bread Puddings, Tangy Lemon Custard Tart with Pomegranate Gelee and Congo Brownies.Last but not least, Field Guide to Cookies by Anita Chu. This is my friend Anita's book, so how could I not recommend it? Anita is the talented local pastry chef and blogger. Her blog is Dessert First so you know she is serious about her baking! I love that it has photos of the cookies so you know what the end result is supposed to look like. For the serious cookie baker or the novice this is a perfect little guide to just about every cookie under the sun. I tried several of Anita's cookies at a recent book party and all of them were very good.
- Beyond Wheat Flour
There are a lot of food bloggers and recipe developers devoted to creating only gluten free recipes. I am not one of them. But I recently had a client ask me to develop some gluten free baked goods and so I experimented with several non-wheat flours including...
- Top Cookbooks 2010: Sweets & Special Interests
When it comes to cookbooks, there is one for just about everyone. There are also certain categories like baking and pastry where it is impossible to pick just one. SWEETS Baking is not easy, but some cookbook authors explain it effortlessly. At first...
- Cookbooks And Chocolate And Spatulas!
The Menu for Hope campaign has been extended until December 31st, allowing you a little more time to give back and maybe win something wonderful. For every $10 donated, you earn one virtual raffle ticket to bid on a prize of your choice. At the end of...
-
I have to admit it. I am just not a baker. I try. But it's not my thing. I can make cookies or brownies if I stick to tried and true recipes, but cakes? Please. Let's not go there... My blog is burning part 3. If you haven't heard of it...
- 117 Down, 96 To Go…
I had a cookie mini-marathon today. I mixed up four batches of cookies and baked off two. I’ll bake the others tomorrow night. They’re for a meeting at work on Wednesday. I used three different recipes – all old favorites. The chocolate pecan...