How to Be a Breadhead: A Beginner's Guide to Baking

A "Breadhead" is a dedicated baker, someone who bakes often, who thinks and dreams about bread and is not afraid to experiment. In this new book by Father Dominic ("The Bread Monk" of public television fame), you'll learn more than just basic techniques-you'll find out why yeast behaves the way it does, how to substitute different flours in a recipe, and how to take a simple dough and make it extraordinary for a special occasion. Starting with tools of the trade (you need less than you think), Father Dom takes you through the baby steps of baking all the way to beautiful loaves that will amaze and delight your family and friends. Special attention is paid to kneading-a stumbling block for many beginning bakers-and simple shaping techniques that can make your loaves look terrific. You'll find braided loaves, flatbreads, pretzel bread and bagels, dinner rolls that look like roses, butterfly-shaped breakfast treats, and a muffin recipe that uses a secret ingredient: melted ice cream! And all in Father Dom's funny and friendly style of instruction, with helpful photos and illustrations. Father Dominic Garramone, OSB, former host of the PBS cooking show Breaking Bread with Father Dominic, has written six cookbooks, most recently Thursday Night Pizza. His first children's book, Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery, was the recipient of the 2011 Christopher Award for children's books (ages 8 to 10) and the 2011 Catholic Press Association 1st Place Award for children's books.