Good Things by David

There's nothing like freshly-baked bread.  During these past few weeks I've been wanting to bake, but because of flour and yeast shortages at the supermarket, I have not been able to do so.  Finally, as if looking over the horizon onto an oasis, I found yeast at a local supermarket!  Wasting no time in bringing several packets home, I quickly assembled my ingredients for a nice loaf of bread.   Freshly Baked Whole Wheat Bread Bernard Clayton's book, 'New Complete Book of Breads', is my bread baking bible.  In it, there are dozens upon dozens of recipes covering different types of flours, grains and types of breads.  From quick breads to yeast risen breads, there is a little bit of everything for everyone.   Bread Baking Mise en Place I was looking at Clayton's whole wheat bread recipes, and decided to settle on the honey lemon whole wheat, which is found at the beginning of the chapter.   I love deep jars for storing my fl...

The latest publication from Food 52 is dedicated entirely to delicious desserts. 'Genius Desserts' consists of recipes from some of the leading cookbook authors and chefs in the food world.  From Dorie Greenspan to the late Marcella Hazan, Martha Stewart to David Lebovitz, and Yotam Ottolenghi to Nigella Lawson, just to name a few, this truly brilliant book will have you measuring, mixing and baking some very tasty cookies, breads, cakes and other impressive desserts. If you're a foodie, an experienced baker (or not), and a true fan of Food 52 (who isn't?), then you're definitely going to want to purchase this book for your cookbook library.  Don't worry, just about everything in the cookbook is approachable, doable and not very difficult to make.  The majority of the recipes do not require hard-to-get ingredients.    What's more, throughout the book there are many genius tips on how to work faster and smarter in the kitchen.  Examples inc...

The latest publication to come from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living is a beautifully photographed, well-organized and practical cookbook dedicated to newlywed couples.  One should look at Martha's 'Newlywed Kitchen' as a sensible, attainable and delicious compilation of recipes for anyone starting a home. In this book you will get tips on how to stock a pantry, what essential kitchenwares to buy for your home, choosing the right china and linens for the table, and of course, a good amount of recipes for weekday meals, weekend brunches, desserts and even holiday get-togethers.     Personally, I think it's rather genius to have a cookbook with recipes that make two servings, instead of the usual four and over.  Martha's book will not only be useful for the newlywed couple, but it will be exceptionally helpful for any couple who wants to cook fresh, delicious meals, without having to waste time, energy and resources making large quantities of food.  ...

Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden is a book that every baker is going to want to have in their kitchen this year.  It's so nice when I can preview a book that I know all of you are going to like.  Best believe that you will be pleased with this one the moment you get it!   The compilation of classic holiday cookies will have bakers everywhere reaching for their aprons and carefully measuring out flour, sugar, butter and spices, for baking year round.  It's great to have "new" recipes to turn to during the holidays, especially when we want to gift homemade baked goods to friends, neighbors and family. Elisabet cleverly divides her chapters with Very Merry Classics , Cookie Exchange Party ideas and suggestions, Warm Holiday Spice , baking from Around the World , classic Holiday Confections , and Decorated Delights .  I'm already looking forward to baking some Icebox Pinwheel Cookies, Fruitcake Shortbread, Glazed Eggnog Madeleines, Hungar...

The much-anticipated Martha Stewart book, A New Way to Bake, is finally in my kitchen thanks to a very kind and generous friend.  I have to say that it already has me measuring out ingredients for baking as we speak!  Due to be released on March 28th, the Clarkson Potter publication is one that should be in everyone's kitchen, because it explores, demonstrates and instructs us on baking with whole grains, gluten-free alternative flours, and other healthier ingredients. Ingredients for Martha's Flourless Chocolate Walnut Torte. Leave it to the baking team at Martha Stewart Living to bring us a compilation of dozens of recipes that have been tested and retested for success in our very own kitchens.  All of the recipes have been tasted, edited and approved by Martha Stewart herself, so you know that everything is going to be delicious.    Says Martha: "Using a new repertoire of grains, flours and sweeteners, your muffins, pancakes, cookies, and tarts...

Melissa Clark's recipes make you want to get into the kitchen and start cooking all sorts of savories and sweets.  Whether through her New York Times column 'A Good Appetite' or the corresponding video series, and her previous cookbooks, Melissa Clark is one of those chefs who understands how to perfectly combine ingredients.  She is a boss when it comes to creating delicious recipes for home cooks. Melissa's latest cookbook, 'Dinner', is due to be released on March 7th, and let me assure you when I say that you're going to want to add this publication to your culinary library, because it has everything you want from a cookbook. New recipes using flavorful ingredients and easy how-to techniques found at the beginning of every chapter, are just some of the things to anticipate from Clark's latest culinary triumph. I absolutely love the way the main ingredient chapters are organized: chicken, meat (pork, beef, veal, lamb, duck & turkey...

Ina Garten is about to release her tenth cookbook, 'Cooking for Jeffrey', on October 25th.  This cookbook is perhaps her most personal compilation of recipes, because they are those which Ina's husband has enjoyed for many years.  Ina states: "I can assure you that all the recipes have been 'Jeffrey-tested' again and again."   In the cookbook, which I was given an advance copy of, Ina gives us snippets of the early days being married to Jeffrey, and of creating a home and opening a business (Barefoot Contessa) in East Hampton, New York.  Not only is the cookbook a compilation of amusing and fascinating stories from Ina, it is also a book dedicated to cooking with good ingredients, and showing us step-by-step how to make each fantastic dish. What I love about all of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and Ina's style, is that each recipe is approachable and doable.  None of them seem complex or intimidating in the least.  I already have my ey...

There's nothing like a delicious cake to celebrate a milestone.  My very own birthday cake this year was a white cake filled and frosted with light-as-a-feather Swiss meringue buttercream, all set on top of a collectible jadeite cake stand. I've designated this particular cake my 'favorite birthday cake' because it has all of the qualities that I like about cakes.  It's light, delicately flavored and bakes beautifully, which is just what I'm after whenever I bake a cake.   I've told you before that I bake my own birthday cakes because I can't abide by store bought. What's more, the tradition of homemade birthday cakes has been the standard ever since I was a kid.  Mom spoiled us that way and I certainly wouldn't have it any other way.  Not now.  Not ever! As is typical in the weeks leading to my birthday, I scour baking books in our home library in search of cakes that pique my interest, concentrating on those I haven't tried before...

Of late, I've been obsessed with a particular recipe from a book I recently added to my cookbook library.  The book is called, 'Crumb', and it's written by British food columnist, Ruby Tandoh.  I simply love the style of her writing, the sweet recipes that she has gathered in one volume, along with all of the practical information which makes me go back to it time and time again.  If you can say that about a cookbook, then it's a keeper and worthy of one's library. Oatmeal Tea Cookies & Tea on Wedgwood Drabware Ruby calls these little gems, Rye Oat Cookies, and compares them to graham crackers.  Called digestives in England, the cookies are perfect morsels to have with one's tea or even for breakfast with a cup of coffee.   Oatmeal Tea Cookies with Fresh Berries Ever since I got Ruby's book, I have been making these 'biscuits' every single week, because they are good.  Having said that, however, I have taken liberties wit...

Baking bread while it's cold out is a good way to warm up one's home.  Over the past few months I've been baking Swedish Limpa Bread on a regular basis because it seems to have a little bit of everything.  There is a hint of sweetness that is just right with every bite, and yet, it's perfectly savory to have with eggs for breakfast because of the rye flour.  The recipe I turn to, which I'm quite spoiled by, is from Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads . If you don't own this book you really should add it to your cookbook library, because there is a lot to learn from Bernard's recipes, tips and anecdotes. Have you ever had limpa?  If so, then you understand that enjoying a slice of it slathered with butter or some marmalade is one of life's little pleasures.  I love having this toasted bread with my tea or with a cup of coffee if I can help it. Don't tell anyone, but I've also had it with some nutella spread and it is amazing! ...