Book Reviews ~ Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day & Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day
I discovered these books while perusing the shelves of a local book store. I’ve been an enthusiastic bread baker for a few years and thought the idea of making a huge batch of bread that you keep in your refrigerator so you can have fresh bread “on demand” seemed too good to be true. And you don’t have to knead it? What?
The basic idea behind these books is to be able to have wonderful, bakery quality bread in your own home and on demand. You whip up a “master batch” of dough that has enough water in it so the molecules in the bread can do their thing and you don’t have to knead the bread. This master batch stays in your refrigerator, covered loosely, for up to two weeks. When you want a fresh loaf, you just cut a piece of the dough from the master batch, form the loaf, let it rise on the counter and bake. Easy peasy. I can tell you, I was skeptical.
Well, turns out, these books are everything they claim to be. Sort of little bread miracle guide books. I made my first master batch from Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day this past week…
and my first free form loaf yesterday…
and it not only worked, it yielded delicious results!
Today I’m making cinnamon raisin bagels!
The recipes for the master batches are available at the authors’ website…
Enjoy!
~Melissa
You know, I’ve been wondering for awhile now, where to find a really good make-ahead recipe for muffins that you can freeze?? Right now, I spend a fortune buying premade muffin mixes that are kept in the freezer, but I’d like to make my own versions with healthier ingredients and obviously cheaper methods. I like the large quantity buckets because of daycare and it’s nice having the mixes made ahead of time like that because I don’t have time in the mornings to mix fresh batches. Scones like this would be great too. Have you come across anything like this that you recall?? Always love your suggestions!! Added these book titles to my list of things to check out. Thanks!
Let me look into this and get back to you. I have a uber talented baker friend who I believe will be able to help us 😉
I discovered the Artisan bread book via the library last summer and wholeheartedly concur that it yields wonderful results. There is nothing more satisfying than baking a great loaf of bread.
Thanks so much for commenting Poiema 🙂
Yummy! Can’t wait to get everything together so I can start making some delicious homemade goodies!
Chantelle, you are going to LOVE these books! I am astounded at how easy and delicious the recipes are.
Just learning to make bread: KAF has great hand-holding, lol. Now have both of these books on my Amazon wish list. If I were to buy just one right now, your opinion, please? Perhaps I’ll make a starter (biga?) tonight and bake in the a.m. I’m also learning a whole new language. Merci beau coup.
they’re both great books! you’re going to love baking bread this way 🙂 enjoy
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