Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day - Review

In January I posted about this book and put it on hold at the library. It is obviously a popular book because it is now May and I finally got notice from the library. So I have done a quick read and tried the master recipe. I think it is fantastic and I highly recommend it. It makes good bread and the amount of time and effort is minimal.
The idea is to make up a large batch of dough and store it in the refrigerator using a chunk whenever you need it. The author is big on the minimal effort part so there is no kneading or or other fussy instructions.
I have stolen a review from Amazon and post it here.

From Publishers Weekly
While the phrase artisan bread typically evokes images of labor-intensive sessions and top-notch ingredients, for authors Hertzberg and François it means five minutes. An intriguing concept—high-quality, fresh bread in less time than it takes to boil water. The authors' promises of no kneading, no starter, no proofing yeast and no need for a bread machine is based on the concept of mixed and risen high-moisture dough stored in the fridge for up to two weeks (dough is cut into pieces and popped in the oven for fresh loaves as desired). Note: for those tracking minutes, the five-minutes doesn't include the 20-minute resting time for dough or 30 minutes for baking. After concise, introductory chapters on ingredients, equipment, and tips and techniques, readers are presented with the master recipe, a free-form loaf of French boule that is the model for all breads in the book. Three main chapters—Peasant Loaves, Flatbreads and Pizzas and Enriched Breads and Pastries—are filled with tempting selections and focus on ethnic breads and pastries including Couronne from France; Limpa from Scandinavia; Ksara from Morocco; Broa from Portugal; and Chocolate-Raisin Babka from the Ukraine, but the basics (Oatmeal Bread, Bagels, White Bread) are all here, too. A smattering of companion recipes such as Tuscan White Bean Dip and Portuguese Fish Stew are peppered throughout. While experienced bakers and true gourmands will skip this one, those looking for an innovative approach to making bread just might find it in these recipes. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I made the French boule and a baguette and they turned out very good and so easy. I do have a pizza stone I use for baking bread and I think that does help the crust quite a bit. One of the other interesting things that the author suggests is to check your oven with a thermometer to see how closely it matches what the dial says. we have 2 ovens one was off by about 5 degrees and the other was about 70 degrees off. No wonder things don't always work in that upper oven. I suppose the other downside to the idea is it takes up refrigerator space. We happen to have a spare in the garage so It really isn't too big of an deal. I am definitely sold on this idea and plan on making bread on the days I am home using this recipe.
My recommendation is to order the book from your library (it may take 6 months) or order from overstock.com or amazon.com (runs about 17-18$)

There is also a website:http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

Potato Sourdough Bread

From ID with love.
This is a recipe from Auntie Pam and Shirley May
Unfortunately, I don't have the recipe to make the starter but I do have the starter and have given it out to others and if you are one of them this post is for you.

To make the bread:
1 cup starter
1.5 cups warm water
1 Tablespoon honey or molasses (I like the molasses)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 package yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup whole wheat flour (you can also add various grains which I like to do)
4 cups of flour

Mix. Knead. This is a very wet/sticky dough I find works best in the Kitchen Aid. Let raise 1 hour until double then shape and raise again and bake at 350 for 30-35 mins. Makes 2 regular size loaves.

I like this bread for breakfast as toast. I add sunflower seeds, raisins, oats, whatever I find that seems healthy in bulk at Winco.

Replenishing starter
3 Tablespoons mashed potato
1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar

Another bread book - Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day

I guess you can tell who is not working today or even this week.
Here is another bread book I am interested in. I requested it from our library but there are 6 people in front of me so no review for a while but it sounds interesting. I heard about it on NPR the Splendid Table . Follow the link and go to Dec 15 and click Listen to hear the interview. By the way, those of you with an Ipod may enjoy subscribing to the podcast for the Splendid Table.

Book Recommendations

I love bread and have found a book I really like. It gives very specific instructions and the limited bread I have made has been very good. The problem is that she makes all these suggestions of things you can buy to make it better (baking stone, silicone liners, kitchen scales, etc etc). So I keep trying to buy all of this extra stuff. Anyway, the book is called "The Bread Bible" by Rose Levy Beranbaum. She is famous for "The Cake Bible" and she also has a "Pie/Pastry Bible". I had got them from the library and decided I needed a copy for myself. I found them reasonably priced on Overstock.com for new at a price better then some used copies. So check it out if you are interested. You won't find a better price and shipping is 2.95 no matter how much stuff you buy.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Thanks Andrea for this recipe! Delicious! I am still in the mood for holiday baking and this fills the spot...
Originally from Cottage Living Magazine

1 2/3 c all-purpose flour

1 t baking soda

3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 t ginger

1/4 t cloves

1/4 plus 1/8 t salt

1 1/3 c sugar

1/3 c canola oil

1 c plus 1 1/2 T canned unsweetened pumpkin

1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour loaf pan. Sift together first 5 ingredients; stir in salt. Combine sugar, oil, pumpkin in a large bowl; beat at medium speed until smooth. Add egg, beating until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients, beating at low speed until blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour 5 minutes or until loaf is golden and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan.

Garlic-Herb Bread

This is our favorite bread in the bread machine...

Large Loaf (1 1/2 pounds)

1 1/4 cups water
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 1/4 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary leaves
1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/4 tsp. dried basil leaves
2 3/4 tsp. regular active dry yeast
OR
2 1/4 tsp. bread machine yeast or quick-acting active dry yeast