The Messy Baker; Charmian Christie
Rodale Books - 2014
The title, The Messy Baker, got my attention especially since I love to bake, but make a huge mess in the process.
Comprised
of some 75 recipes, almost every recipe has a beautiful gloss photo to
show you what the finished product will look like. I was surprised by
the fact the recipes are not all desserts, as somehow the title and
cover lead me to believe, but that's okay, I liked the variety of
recipes. Yes, there are muffins, cookies, tortes, scones, tarts etc,
but you'll also find some recipes for things like pizza, waffles,
cauliflower, fritters and more. The recipes contained are not your
standard run of the mill recipes that you tend to find again and again, but each
recipe seems to be a new twist on a recipe that I wouldn't have thought
of in this new way.
I liked that there were a few helpful lists
about essential things to stock in your pantry. The author mention talks about how egg
size matters (most recipes mean "large" eggs not medium or jumbo), and
talks about how important it is not alter recipes when you find you are missing an ingredient
(always set out every ingredient you'll need BEFORE you begin baking.)
The
chapters have fun titles like: pastry; crumbly; dippable; sloppy;
smudgy; gritty and drippy. The book is more about how the final product tastes, and judging with your mouth and not eyes, rather than
obsessing about whether your final product is "picture perfect".
I
tried and loved the Sea Salt Sticky Buns and, I'm looking forward to trying the
Boozy Brown Sugar Whipped Cream to go with our Thanksgiving Pecan and
Pumpkin pies. Great book
4/5 stars
(eGalley)
Sounds like my style of cooking. Might need to get this book.
ReplyDeleteSea salt sticky buns? That gets my attention! Sounds like a cookbook I need to look for. Thanks for telling us about it, Diane.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Mary - The sticky buns were a nice Sunday treat.
DeleteI'm a messy baker too! My food tends to taste good, but look terrible! I hope the photos in this book reflect her mission - seeing perfectly decorated cakes would sort of go against what she is trying to achieve. Sea salt sticky buns caught my attention too. It sounds delicious :-)
ReplyDeleteJackie, not every finished product in the book looks picture perfect, but of course, not a royal disaster either -- or who would buy the book...LOL
DeleteSea salt sticky buns sound amazing! I'd like to take a closer look at this cookbook.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - see if your library has it? Several of ours own copies.
DeleteI absolutely have to get this. My cooking is all about being "crumbly; dippable; sloppy; smudgy; gritty and drippy." And sea salt sticky buns? YES!!!
ReplyDeleteJill, you made me laugh. I own a collection of aprons as I am so messy.
DeleteThose sticky buns sound good to me! I need this cookbook!
ReplyDeleteThey were good Kathy - we all enjoyed them.
DeleteI think my Mum would like that one!
ReplyDeleteMaybe she'll make something with catnip Brian for you and the gang:)
DeleteThis sounds pretty yummy!
ReplyDeleteWell worth a look-see.
DeleteWow! I consider myself a decent baker, but I didn't realize that egg size was so important; I also improvise if I am missing an ingredient. Maybe I need this book! :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to improvise too, but have had some "not so good" muffin experiences lately when I did that:(
DeleteI am a messy cook too, and whatever is on the cover looks simply yummy :)
ReplyDeleteThen this is the book for you Sam....LOL
DeleteI just put a hold on this one. I love lots of pictures and a variety of recipes, even in a majority baking book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Kristen.
DeleteI am definitely a messy baker!
ReplyDeleteYay, you are in my club:)
DeleteThis looks like the kind of recipe book I would enjoy. Thanks for the review Diane :)
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! But cauliflower definitely does seem like the one that is not like the others. Ha! Boozy Brown Sugar Whipped Cream also sounds amazing.
ReplyDelete