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We know whole grain breads are better for us, but will we actually eat them, much less take time to bake them?Yes, says beloved baking instructor Peter Reinhart, but only if they are very, very good. So Reinhart, with his decades of experience crafting amazing artisanal breads, has made it his mission to create whole grain breads that are nothing short of incredible.In this follow-up to his award-winning book The Bread Baker's Apprentice, Reinhart offers groundbreaking methods for making whole grain breads that taste better than any you've ever had. And because his approach is also simpler and less labor intensive than conventional techniques, you'll choose to make and eat these breads. His fifty-five recipes for whole grain sandwich, hearth, and specialty breads, plus bagels, crackers, and more, incorporate widely available whole wheat flour as well as other flours and grains such as rye, barley, steel-cut oats, cornmeal, and quinoa. Each is so rich with flavor and satisfying texture that white-flour counterparts pale in comparison.Written in Reinhart's famously clear style and accompanied by inspiring photographs, these recipes were perfected with the help of nearly 350 testers. Introductory chapters provide a tutorial, with step-by-step photographs, of the delayed fermentation method that is at the heart of these recipes, as well as a crash course in baking science, discussions of grains other than wheat, and more. Advanced bakers will relish Reinhart's innovative techniques and exacting scientific explanations, and beginning bakers will rejoice in the ease of baking wholesome breads with such extraordinary flavor.… (more)
User reviews
I've only baked one recipe from this book, so far---a "Transitional" Country Hearth Bread. "Transitional" means that it's 50% white flour and 50% whole wheat flour, in contrast to the 100% whole wheat flour loaf that precedes it in the book. It turned out just fine, with a thick, crispy crust and a tasty, soft interior. I'm looking forward to trying other recipes.
In addition to various loafs made with whole wheat, rye, etc, it also includes whole grain variations on many other breads---cinnamon rolls, challah, bagels, foccachia, etc.
Sections on pre-fermentation and autolyse are well-explained. Side column commentary makes it easy to see where tips and minor instructions can be managed. I especially liked the clear tabulation of ingredients as volume, ounces and my preference, grams. The tables also facilitated recalculating ingredients, based on personal preference, keeping the baker's percentages balanced for the basics (F-W-S-Y). Recommended for those less experienced in basic home bread baking yet, highly appropriate for the experienced baker to kick up their talents a notch or more.