Bread by Dean Brettscheneider
it’s quite incredible how when you think you’ve got a hang of bread making, another book comes along and throws you a curve ball… well maybe less of a curve ball and more of a few little things that you didn’t know that when applied make your bread baking so much more superior than before. Bread by Dean Brettscheneider is a beautiful book, with page after page of mouthwatering photo’s of bread, lots of varied recipes with very clear instructions and a brilliant introduction that includes a little history of bread making and his 11 basic ‘know-how’ steps from simple stuff such as how to knead to the more complicated proofing and shaping. I know I will be referring back to this book time and time again. It has a very relaxing and knowledgeable voice.
Bread by Dean Brettscheneider retails at £25 and is published by Jaqui Small, it is available at all good book stores and of course amazon
Kitchenalia by Vinny Lee
this is one of those books where the phrase ‘vintage kitchen porn’ is entirely appropriate. The book is rammed full of inspiring and delicious looking photo’s of kitchens and kitchenalia without a single food item in sight. I love books like this, just to look at the images and take ideas from. In fact we’re working on a new project for Benefit Cosmetics that has a 1950’s vibe and i’ve already lifted a few ideas from the pages of this book. I’m not 100% sure of exactly just how informative the book is for a novice stylist as it doesn’t really actually tell you much other than ‘gather this’ and ‘find that’ but I still loved it nonetheless.
Kitchenalia by Vinny Lee retails at £25 and is published by Jaqui Small, it is available at all good book stores and of course amazon – to order Kitchenalia at the discounted price of £25 including p&p* (RRP: £30) telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG221
How to be a better cook by Lorraine Pascale
i don’t like Lorraine Pascale. There, i’ve said it. I’m not entirely sure what it is I don’t like about her, she just doesn’t speak to me. I’m sure she’s a very nice person and I hope, should she happen to come cross this review, she doesn’t take this too personally because the recipes in her new book are actually perfectly nice, it’s simply that she doesn’t inspire anything in me. I find the photo’s very simple and way too clean to the point of them not being particularly tempting… I flick through the book and I have no desire to make any of them. The recipes are perfectly nice but again, nothing that really packs a punch or really makes me want to pick up an apron and then there’s the title. Yes, I agree that you never stop learning but I’m not convinced that Lorraine is the person to teach me…
How to be a better cook by Lorraine Pascale retails at £25 HB and is published by Harper Collins, it is available at all good book stores and of course amazon
wholemeal loaf with dark beer and honey
this bread is not taken directly from Bread by Dean Brettscheneider but is inspired by a recipe found within those pages, which is partly what I love about the book as you can take ideas from it and creat you’re own recipes, or I did at least and it worked out very successfully
300g strong wholemeal flour
100g strong white flour
7g fast action dried yeast
1 large teaspoon salt (I used Maldon sea salt flakes)
300ml dark beer (I used a Lincolnshire ale called Batemans)
1 tablespoon honey
e rack to cool completely
OK Dom, I wasn't sure which was the book cover and which was your bread, what a wonderful loaf and fabulous photos! I think I'm going to give this a try, it's calling to me…:)
that's so sweet Sue… thank you. Was a very delicious bread that was far nicer toasted than not. x
Your bread looks seriously good! The bread book and Lorraine's both look great but I NEEEED that Kitchenalia book. It's everything I aspire to be one day. I need to sit down with that book, a massive latte and a bit black marker!
Hi Dom,
I am so pleased that someone else doesn't like Lorraine. I always felt like I couldn't say anything as everyone seems to like her! I am totally going to look up the bread book however.
LOVE that Kitchenalia book Dom, but, the BREAD has all my attention though! Karen
That bread looks heavenly! I like Lorraine though, I hope she has a new show on TV soon.
I never tire of looking at a gorgeous loaf of bread OR at a good book about bread!
I'm not a Lorraine Pascal fan either, always seems a bit clinical and style over substance. Dean Brettschneider on the other hand, is in my book, a genius, and I am looking forward to getting Bread as soon as I can
I didn't mind Lorraine, and then I watched a couple episodes of How To Be A Better Cook and realised that, actually, Lorraine is quite patronising and passive aggressive.
A nice round up of books, I'm not a huge fan of Lorraine either. I haven't seen the other two books but the Dean Brettschneider book sounds fab. Your beer and honey bread looks lovely.
The Bread book is a beauty, I also have a copy. The kitchenalia book looks fun too. I think Lorraine Pascale is great for beginner cooks and she does have some good ideas for tasty dishes.
Why have I not heard of Dean? I'm losing my touch. Your bread looks fab Dom and it sounds very tasty. I really must get more adventurous with my bread making and not keep sticking to the tried and tested. As for Lorraine. I quite like her, but I'm so pleased you were honest about what you thought of the book – too many blog reviews never say anything negative at all, so I don't trust them.