The Easy Way to Artisan Breads & Pastries

by Avner Laskin, Josef Salis (Photographs)

It’s the best cookbook on the subject, and it sells for a price that’s simply unbeatable. These are gourmet recipes made simple—that’s their magic. Avner Laskin trained at the renowned Cordon Bleu school in Paris, but he knows that most home bakers haven’t, so he takes the intimidation out of the baking process with wonderfully easy-to-follow guidelines. With his help, making such delicacies as French-Style Brioche and Peach “Tarletette” Rolls become real possibilities for almost anyone. Laskin discusses the raw materials (wheat, cereals, and flours); goes through all the techniques, from kneading to shaping; and covers fermented, sponge, and sour doughs. Bake up Heavenly Apple-Cinnamon Bread, Amaretto Almond Rolls, Russian Chocolate Crunch Cake, plus a selection of superb sandwich, everyday, and festive breads.

Genres: Cookbooks

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Sheba]

Now that I've discovered how relatively easy it is to make a decent loaf of homemade bread, I was particularly excited to check this book out from the library. The downside came when I brought it home and also discovered how many recipes require that essential kitchen tool: a mixer. Unfortunately, $200 isn't just lying around to plunk down on one of these machines, so I was out of luck for 99% of the recipes Laskin provides. That being said, if you are one of the lucky few who have a mixer this book is so, so worth it. Laskin covers everything from flat breads to rolls to double loaves in such easy-to-follow instructions that you'd have to be a little dense to mess them up. He also breaks down techniques and the logic behind using certain ingredients over others precisely and without any of the tonal condescension one often finds in baking books by pros. The minute I score a mixer, I'm also looking to actually purchase this book.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

This cookbook is simply a must-read for any aspiring or practicing baker. Jam-packed with a variety of approachable and delicious recipes, as well as excellent photography, this book demystifies yeast and the art of bread baking. Tips and tutorials are clear and extremely easy to follow, and quick bread (non yeast) recipes are included as well.

-- Meagan

[Marina]

I'll have to see if it's as good as the Artisan Breads in Five Minutes a Day but it has a sourdough starter and directions on how to incorporate that into different breads (as well as how to freeze it for later use).

[Mary]

I found some good bread recipes in here. Right now I’m attempting to make French brioche….