Rose Levy Beranbaum "Bread Bible"

I received it as a gift, and I've got to admit, I don't use it very often.  The ciabatta is excellent, but that's about the only recipe I really like.  Beranbaum admits to not liking whole wheat bread, which I found odd in someone writing a 'bible' about bread, and I find her recipes far too detailed.

But I've made exactly one recipe out if the book (beer bread). IMO, her recipes and formulas are not that "authentic", but her instructions are detailed, dependable, and accurate, which means, if you follow her instructions exactly, you will get her results, which probably don't have the biggest holes in ciabbata, darkest and most authentic pumpernickel, etc, but they will be tasty and good - in a "middle of the ground" every day bread kinda way. For instance, if I want to make an authentic baguette with very open crumb and crispy crust and maximum flavor, I will find other books, but if I want to make a good everyday sandwich bread, with some flavor variations, this book will deliver.

Even though I baked only one recipe, but I often reference it for technicle details like how much dough I should use for a cloverleaf roll, or how much time I should let my KA knead the dough if I want to make a sandwich bread, etc. Look at the breads in the book, if you like those results, then you will like her recipes, because they deliver exactly that, but if you are looking for more "extreme" breads like 100% WW, or European specialty breads, then you may want to look elsewhere.

In fact, tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm hoping the package my husband got from Amazon last week contains this book as I've had it out from one library or another in our county continuously for months now and they're going to catch on to me one of these days.

Rose writes for ME, the home baker, with limited time and budget.  Her formulas are clear, precise, and provided in volume and weight by gram measurements.  Most of her formulas make one nicely sized loaf, not two or four or six gigantic breads that will exceed my home freezer capacity.  She gives detailed instructions and explanations for her techniques and the equipment and ingredients she uses. Her formulas do not demand expensive and unusual ingredients, equipment, or techniques.   If I had to summarize in one word, I would say this book is "accessible".  

I also have Hamelman's Bread.   It is my "go to" book when I have a question about the science of bread.   It is full of detailed and scientific explanation, but I have yet to tackle a single formula--they are too intimidating--everything must be controlled from the temperature of every ingredient to precise timing, etc.  He is clearly writing for a professional audience although there is a nod to home bakers by adding a section of each formula in pounds and ounces that still seems like too much dough for me to deal with in my limited time, kitchen equipment, and storage.  

RLB is neither a purist or a traditionalist. She doesn't rise to the standard of many bread geeks here in that she uses methods and ingredients that are easily attainable instead of following tradition.  But Hamelman's  orthodox methods are just not practical for my limited time and resources.  

I think if RLB had called it something other than the "Bread Bible" she would not incur such wrath.  It is not the be all and end all of books on baking bread.  The bad (actually good) news is that you will want and need other books to round out your bread baking library.  But I personally think this is a wonderful book to have in your arsenal, you will learn a lot and have a great time exploring bread with her.  

My wife would know right away I was mid-recipe in this book and ask if I was making "The Piss Me Off Bread" again.

 I would sell this book but I don't hate anyone that much. 

You are a very funny guy!

Rose Levy Beranbaum is not a hack, she's a very talented baker, even though I'm not crazy about her Bread Bible!  I have her Pie and Pastry Bible and her Cake Bible and I've used them both quite often.  I may not always follow her recipes to the letter, and I do think she tends to be over-wordy in her bread book, but she is a very accomplished baker.  And I don't care who you are, you don't insult a person's appearance no matter how you feel about her or her recipes.

I can't recall if I've baked from her Cake Bible, but I have definitely consulted it as reference material.  I found it to be quite informative. 

Perhaps the truth is in the pudding.  It comes down to the style of each baker, how they process the written and visual.  I'm guilty of being lopsided when it comes to a particular bread guru. 

It's always interesting to read others opinions.  I value and gain much by being that little fly on the wall. 

Case in point:  I never thought I needed Nancy Silverton's bread book, that was until someone sent it to me.  Now I can't imagine how, or why I ignored it,

Go figure.  Age teaches me much.  Even this old dog can learn a new trick. 

:)

the biggest problem i have with RLB is that her recipes are way too controlled (and controlling) ... her anality tells me that she doesn't respect her ingredients or the fact that baking is not a carved-in-stone blueprint, but a continuing process of refinement and feel that demands that we understand our ingredients, understand that we never bake under exactly the same conditions (i.e., flour humidity, temperature, yeast activity, etc.) twice and that we need to be attuned to those things.

in my view, RLB's whole approach devalues time and experience and implies that anyone who follows her oh-so-precise recipes can immediately produce breads that most of us spend years striving for.

Stan Ginsberg
www.nybakers.com

this is my first time to comment here. i have read with interest the various comments. I have not read her BB, but have used her cake bible. She seems to be very talented, but also approaches things from a this is how I do it view point. I think that is ok. Just use what you want, ignore what you don't want and enjoy the result. And if it makes you come un-nerved, throw it away and stop torturing yourself. :)

I love RLB. She's so passionate but also so precise. You can tell that she has tried recipes over and over and she truly understands the magic of baking.

Even though I'm by no means a novice I've learned more about baking from her (cake bible, pie & pastry bible etc) than I have from any other baking book. Even if you don't use all or even any of her recipes, the book will give you more useful information than any other book I've seen on baking. 

I love the fact that she explains why a certain recipe works a certain way - even if yo never make the particular recipe, you'll pick up useful information you'll be able to adapt to other recipes. 

Also, it must be said, having measurements in grams is fantastic for someone who lives in "the rest of the world".  

I don't understand why people get uptight about precise measurements - I have no compunction about changing flour mixes or adding more or less water but her explanations give me the confidence to do that. 

I do agree that her range of breads seems to focus more on white bread types. My biggest disappointment was in fact that although she features a bunch of Italian and French bread types, she seems to largely ignore the fantastic range of German breads. Also, you do need to read carefully and note the steps, otherwise you'll be like me waiting for bread to bake at 2am.

Oh, and if you like to browse recipes, you might, like me, create a more detailed table of contents to stick at the front of the book. 

I agree her challah with the addition of "old" sourdough as the pate fermentee is terrific. It stays fresh and is very moist. I agree a lot of her recipes in that book are good but not great. 

I just received this book as a gift. I had been eyeing it for over a year now. I read it through, not all the recipes, just the text about baking. My initial synopsis is that this book is the perfect book linking the hobby baker and the-at-home baker to the professional baker. Her bias towards recipes, ingredients, etc offers a different approach to cookbooks. An insight clearly gained through extensive research and baking.

Everything you need to know about bread is in here - the science behind the interactions of water and flour, the role of yeast, and the importance of kneading and hydration. It is written in language that is easy to understand and employ. One thing I like the best,  are the tips and tricks sprinkled throughout the book. Simlar to Cooks Illustrated, these tips benefit specific bread recipes as well as the process of baking itself. Many of the recipes, include alterations and suggetions. Futhermore, she encourages experimentation with basic recipes to make them your own. She suggests you take a recipe and make it over and over, tasting each time, and making changes that you find acceptable.

Overall, I would suggest this book to anyone looking to learn more about the process. The amateur who wants to step into the professional realm. As for me, I want to make that jump and this book keeps me on the edge of my seat wanting to bake. The problem is, my wife and I can't eat all the bread.

Like most of us on this blog, I am overwhelmed by the number of 'bread-making' books on the market ...on a whim, I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my one of my favorite Uncles for Christmas...overall, I am pleased to see that I made the right choice...Thank you MommaT for the perfect timing for asking this question!  Happy Holidays

I've used this book extensively and overall, I've been satisfied. Most of the recipes are good, my favorite regulars are the Cinnamon-Raisin bread (I've adapted it to use a sourdough starter), the Sourdough Country Boule, New Zealand Almond Fig bread, Beer Bread, and the Mantovana Olive Oil bread. Some recipes do fall short, but most are a pleasure to make (and eat).

Her recipe to make a sourdough starter does not work, but the wealth of information in the book regarding bread is comprehensive and practical.

Sure, it's not the "best" bread book out there, but hey... we can't drink Montrachet every night.

--Rick