The Art of Baking Bread

Book excerpt: Sidestep years of unrewarding trial and error and learn to bake like a master with one comprehensive book. With over 230 color photographs, more than 150 detailed step-by-step instructions covering basic to advanced techniques, over 200 tips and sidebars filled with invaluable information and troubleshooting advice, plus clear explanations of ingredients, equipment, and the entire bread-baking process, The Art of Baking Bread: What You Really Need to Know to Make Great Bread will teach you to work, move, think, anticipate, smell, feel, and, ultimately, taste like an artisan baker. The Art of Baking Bread accomplishes what no other book has—it teaches the secrets of professional bakers in language anyone can understand. Matt Pellegrini offers home cooks confidence in the kitchen and precise, easy-to-follow blueprints for creating baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, brioche, challah, sourdough, and dozens of other delicious rolls and loaves that will make you the envy of your fellow bakers—professional or otherwise.