By Tara Richter…
There is something about making homemade bread that I absolutely love. Maybe its the joy of getting back to basics, or the meditative state I go into while mixing the dough – wondering how on earth my great grandmothers made fresh bread day after day.
I was excited to receive Baking by Hand: Make the Best Artisanal Breads and Pastries Better without a Mixer by Andy & Jackie King and of course I liked the fact that it was the back-to-basics approach of using the 2 best tools in the kitchen to mix the dough, your own hands.
A few years ago my mom taught me how to make her family- famous “Mom’s Buns” recipe. I distinctly remember her comment while feeling the dough I was preparing, “No, it doesn’t feel right yet”. Frustrated, I continued, waiting for her to tell me when it was ready. There is something about years of experience that cannot be taught through a recipe. Once I got the feel of the dough, I’ve never forgotten, nor is it something that a bread-maker or commercial mixer could ever teach me.
My first attempt with a Baking by Hand recipe was an epic fail. I knew by feel of my dough that something was terribly wrong, and finally just got frustrated and threw it out. I completely understood why my attempt at the bread failed when I read from the book. “…. the more you understand about the science of baking, the better a baker you’ll be”.
Instead of tackling the recipe again, I sat and read through the first section of the book, which very effectively lays out the personal baking philosophy of the authors, their history, as well as the instruction, knowledge, techniques and tools required to make the artisan breads in the book.
Since I do not yet have all the tools recommended in Baking by Hand, I opted to make my Mom’s Buns recipe with modifications I learned from the cookbook. Seemingly small details turned out to be major points for success as I literally made the best batch of ‘Mom’s Buns’ in all my years of making them. I learned about the importance of picking the right kind of flour, measurement, heat, humidity, yeast and the techniques for creating and kneading the dough. All these little factors as written in the Baking by Hands cookbook contributed to the huge success of my buns.
This book is definitely not for anyone looking for a quick and easy way to make a loaf of bread but instead about the careful and deliberate process of making truly aesthetic and delicious artisan breads. Bread making requires time and patience however the reward of fantastic tasting breads is hugely satisfying. I felt especially proud as members of my family made a special trip over to my house to have one of “Mom’s Buns”. This was a sentiment also echoed in the book as the authors shared how a great artisan bread serves as the perfect starting point for greater things; gathering of friends and family around and sharing in a meal.
This is definitely going to be a well used cookbook in my home, with ear-marked pages, notes, and a worn-out look over time; a true compliment to the authors with their great instruction and recipes.
I don’t think I have the patience to make the perfect buns … yet 🙂
This sounds not only like a great cookbook but an interesting read as well.
Would love to learn to make good bread. Our first few attempts were a colossal fail!
Artisan bread – count me in!
I love making homemade buns and my family loves eating them!
I love to bake but have never made homemade buns by hand yet.
I would love to make wonderful buns!!
Even though the first time was a fail, those buns look pretty awesome!!
I know from making pie crust how important it is to judge textures with your hands, but I haven’t quite gotten there with bread yet. It would be great to have a cookbook that doesn’t assume I own a mixer.
I love making buns with my grandma, it would be great to have some new recipes.
I love making homemade buns/bread my hubby’s fav is irish soda bread I make that one twice a week. My grandmother taught me how to make bread when I was a teenager by measuring with my thumb in bowl to see if I had enough water and how to do the yeast great memory
This book sounds wonderful &yummy!
I was just thinking yesterday that I’d like to know how to bake bread.
Wouldn’t I love to learn how to bake bread. My husband is a champ at it but not me at all. I’m totally a recipe person and this would be a great start!!!
This book sounds fantastic. Would love to make buns & bread.
I totally love making buns, all the work that goes into them and in the end just to tear one open fresh and add butter.. yum.. my kids love fresh buns/breads
My Mom was a great bread maker, me not so much, this book would help!
There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread…mmm so delicious. Those buns you made look so good..my mouth is watering. I learned to bake bread from my mother and she made the most delicious breads and cinnamon buns. I would love to learn new recipes from ‘Baking By Hand’.
I have been trying to make bread lately. Today was my 3rd attempt, it is better than the other attempts. This book would be awesome!
I used to help my Grandma bake bread, buns, rolls all handmade. I loved checking it to see it rising. This book sounds great and something I would love to try again.
I’d love this because I love baking, and appreciate the challenges and rewards of homemade baked goods, and the book sounds really helpful.
I don’t know why, but I am always surprised when people make their own buns – it’s something I’d never think to do! That’s awesome that Tara was able to use this book to help recreate her Mom’s buns! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
would love to win this book!
oh how i love breads, mmm
Made bread with a breadmaker…would love to learn how to make artisan breads by hand.
Nice buns! 😉
I have a bread machine but I would try to make it by hand
my mom bakes like this! I would love to learn it.
I tried to make pie crust once and it was an epic fail so I understand where she is coming from. On this maternity leave my goal is to learn to make buns!!
I would love to learn how to make homemade buns. Maybe tomorrow:)
i don’t have the patience however my husband is an awesome baker
I too like the feel of dough on my hands and the time it takes
i love baking and learning from others
Reading your post brought back SO many memories of my mom baking bread when we were kids. She doesn’t make bread as often now but I love the smell of her house when she does.
I love to bake but have never made my own bread. Would love to learn though as my mom used to make bread by hand and it was the best.
I’d love to try making bread by hand, I usually use a bread machine.
I have never made buns, but would like to try. This cookbook could be the one that gets me started.
Your buns look great.
i have never made buns before but it could be a while lot of fun 🙂
Loving making homemade buns and bread Thank you for the chance to win
I have wanted to try to make bread or buns for so long now but I am terrified to mess everything up haha. Maybe this book would give me some baking confidence 🙂
I attempted to make my own bread for a few years a while ago. Sometimes it turned out great and sometimes it was a disaster. I never understood the science of baking so it was a mystery why some attempts succeeded while others failed. I wish I knew! I have read also about the “feel” of dough … a concept I still don’t understand. My current living situation does not involve an extra kitchen appliances other than an over, so this sounds like the perfect book for me at the right time. Thanks for the opportunity!
I do not have room in my kitchen for tons of gadgets, so this style of baking appeals to me.
Sounds like one of those books most people would enjoy checking out and good to know, you might actually need to read between the recipes! I lack in “commercial” kitchen equipment and this book sounds right up my alley!
I love baking!! The bundle sound delicious
I love to bake, so this is right up my ally! Thanks for the review 🙂
I love baking!! Except I use a Kitchen Aid Mixer :O I’ve tried to knead bread before by hand but failed 🙁 This book would be awesome to get some extra tips to help me learn to knead by hand 🙂
would love to learn how to make pizza dough
Last time I made buns they didn’t rise & the kids said “do we have to eat those”, so I completely understand how how Tara felt
I love to bake and don’t have a mixer. This would be great!
We love fresh baked buns, its a rare treat but they are delicious 🙂
I’m a break maker and am always in search of new and delicious recipes. I’d be most interested in the ‘artisanal’ bread and pastry recipes, which suggest something a little different.
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win a copy of
Baking by Hand: Make the Best Artisanal Breads and Pastries Better without a Mixer by Andy & Jackie King.
This looks like a great cookbook.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!
I’d love to win, since this looks a really neat Cookbook to own!
This looks like a great book to have 🙂
Loved your personal story!
mmmm definitely a Christmas present
Wow – it seems like it’s above my level of expertise but I know someone who would take it to heart – thanks.
a bit too complicated for me thanks for the post though
We love all types of breads and buns in house. This book would definitely get a work out!
This brings back memories of my Grandma’s fresh baked bread and buns. mmm
Love to bake bread & buns. One of my favourite workouts is kneading!!!
I would love this cookbook
I would love to start baking more
I have to be honest I love my bread maker for easy pizza dough and bread. It allows me to make it more often because of the time savings but I love the idea of doing it all by hand
I’d love to win and possibly give this book to my grandma!
Looks like a great book for my sister who loves to bake bread at home
one of my most vivid memories of girl guides is a trip we did to a local castle where we were showed how to make a loaf of braided bread by hand. I’ve always wanted to do it at home but never been confident. all attempts have resulted in failure. but every couple years a I find a recipe and try again. would love to have this to teach me more about baking by hand
I’m a beginning bread maker so this would be handy to have