• Registered: 14-01-2012
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Is it me or the book ?

Hi all I'm new basically I bought this book and left the 2 star that you see http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Make-Bread- … amp;sr=8-1

Now since writing that review the author has contacted me numerous times to offer solutions. I have since made the fresh white loaf from this site and the results first time round to say the least were astounding which I believe to be down to rehydrating the yeast using sugar which became foamy as it should.

As requested by the author I tried the basic white loaf a few times and every time I got no rise and the bread came out like a brick and I had to bin it, surely this must be just down to adding the yeast directly to the water with no sugar, but the author insists it works every time like this in his classes.

Can somebody shed some light on this, because I have just tried the croissants from the book and they were a disaster even though I have made croissants before, as it stands now this book is about to firmly get thrown on the scrap heap.

  • Registered: 28-09-2011
  • Posts: 2

Re: Is it me or the book ?

It is really irritating when things don't work properly or vital steps are missing.  It isn't clear to me whether you are using fresh yeast (which can be mixed with sugar or liquid) or dried.  Could it be that you have the wrong type of dried yeast?  Some are meant to be added directly to the dry ingredients and some to liquid.  Please forgive me if you are an experienced breadmaker and already know this, no offence is intended!

I've recently bought The Handmade Loaf by Dan Lepard and found that not only does everything work perfectly (so far!) but it is also a fascinating read.  It doesn't however include things like croissants so I suggest that buyers need to flick through a copy before buying as the range may be too limited for you.

  • Registered: 28-07-2011
  • Posts: 163

Re: Is it me or the book ?

It definitely sounds as if there is a basic misunderstanding somewhere along the line about the type of yeast to use. The more I hear about this issue, the more convinced I am that even people who write books about baking get confused about this.

I suggest you read this article, which explains things more clearly than I can:
Which type of yeast should I use for home bread-making?.

Mike