From Publishers Weekly
Unlike electric ice cream makers and pasta machines, the bread machine hasn't really enjoyed wholehearted acceptance in the culinary world. There are hordes of enthusiasts, no question about it, but many who consider themselves serious bakers look upon the machine with a skeptical eye. However, the newer generation of machines turns out excellent bread, and after being bombarded with know-how by this James Beard Award-winning writer, even the most reluctant may be inspired to give it a go. The book opens with an excellent orientation to both the machine and the basics of bread making. Step-by-step instructions are given for a few basic loaves. (Less helpful is a "what went wrong" section, which displays a firm grasp of the obvious.) The 300-plus recipes are so far-ranging it's hard to believe a bread exists that isn't included here. There are white breads and sourdoughs, all manner of whole wheat and grain breads and breads featuring nuts and dried fruits, cheese and savory flavorings. There are crusty ciabattas, a sturdy Irish Potato Brown Bread and a variety of challahs. Hensperger also includes dozens of sweet breads, including croissants, coffee cakes and traditional holiday confections. There are recipes for pizza and flatbreads, as well as selections from a variety of traditions, from Alsatian kugelhopf to Zuni Indian bread. She even offers instructions for using bread machines to make pasta, jams and chutneys. By the end, Hensperger (The Bread Bible, etc.) will have convinced readers that it's time to overcome any qualms and get to work. The bread machine is here to stay. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Hensperger's smaller quick breads book includes 100 recipes from her earlier Art of Quick Breads, now out of print, as well as 50 new ones. In addition to quick loaves, both sweet and savory, there are waffles, dumplings, biscuits, popovers, and a variety of other easy baked goods, along with some tasty accompaniments, such as the Fruit Salsa for her Hopi Blue Corn Hotcakes. For most collections. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Electronically controlled bread machines made a big splash when first introduced, and they seemed destined to be as ubiquitous as the Cuisinart. But many home bakers lost interest quickly when they tired of the same loaves popping out of the machines each day. Hensperger isn't so quick to dismiss these kitchen devices, and she insists that with a thoughtful, professional approach, bread machines can both save labor and provide more bread varieties than expected. Hensperger analyzes these machines and explains how different models work. Most important, she shows how to vary the machine's processes to take greatest advantage of its labor savings and yet produce loaves of varying shape, flavor, and texture. In many cases, recipes call for removing the kneaded dough from the machine for some manual shaping and for baking in a conventional oven. Anyone who loves bread but has let one of these machines gather dust will find rejuvenated inspiration from the possibilities this book offers. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
A master bakers 300 favorite recipes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Can the incomparable taste and texture of handcrafted bread from a neighborhood bakery be reproduced in a bread machine? When Beth Hensperger, one of America's most respected authorities on bread and the bestselling author of nine books on conventional oven-baked bread, first set out to try, she was skeptical. Now, after hundreds of hours of recipe-testing on a wide range of machines, Hensperger happily reports that the answer is "Yes!," in a big and bountiful book that shows home cooks how to get a lifetime of pleasure from their investment in a bread machine.

The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook finally bridges the gap between great taste and convenience, with over 300 glorious recipes for bread machines. Once you've enjoyed a still-warm slice of Maple Buttermilk Bread, Walnut Rye Bread, Sourdough Cornmeal Bread, Parmesan Nut Bread, Balsamic-Carmelized Onion Bread, Chocolate Challah, or Orange Gingerbread, you'll never settle for store-bought bread again.

Whether you're a novice or a long-time baker, new to bread machines or looking to expand your machine's repertoire, The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook's recipes and instructions are the best way to ensure a steady supply of fragrant, delicious fresh-baked bread.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Unlike electric ice cream makers and pasta machines, the bread machine hasn't really enjoyed wholehearted acceptance in the culinary world. There are hordes of enthusiasts, no question about it, but many who consider themselves serious bakers look upon the machine with a skeptical eye. However, the newer generation of machines turns out excellent bread, and after being bombarded with know-how by this James Beard Award-winning writer, even the most reluctant may be inspired to give it a go. The book opens with an excellent orientation to both the machine and the basics of bread making. Step-by-step instructions are given for a few basic loaves. (Less helpful is a "what went wrong" section, which displays a firm grasp of the obvious.) The 300-plus recipes are so far-ranging it's hard to believe a bread exists that isn't included here. There are white breads and sourdoughs, all manner of whole wheat and grain breads and breads featuring nuts and dried fruits, cheese and savory flavorings. There are crusty ciabattas, a sturdy Irish Potato Brown Bread and a variety of challahs. Hensperger also includes dozens of sweet breads, including croissants, coffee cakes and traditional holiday confections. There are recipes for pizza and flatbreads, as well as selections from a variety of traditions, from Alsatian kugelhopf to Zuni Indian bread. She even offers instructions for using bread machines to make pasta, jams and chutneys. By the end, Hensperger (The Bread Bible, etc.) will have convinced readers that it's time to overcome any qualms and get to work. The bread machine is here to stay. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Library Journal