Repeat Offender

Of course baking is all about theft, some forms of which are more acceptable that others. At one end of the spectrum it’s nice to be able to say “We all learn from each other” and to acknowledge where ideas come from. To adopt this line you also have to contribute something from time to […]

Christmas Bake 02

This week the Christmas bread was the absolutely fabulous Christopsomo recipe that was given to me about three years ago by Klimentini, one of our Greek customers (OK, we only have two and they’re married). It’s her family’s recipe and so heavily spiced that the Customs were smashing up the breads her brother was sending […]

Christmas Bake 01

For the three weeks before Christmas we have put together a little programme of festive breads. Wednesday was almost like the old days – only four breads instead nine but back to a 5.00 a.m. start. First I invented a “traditional” Welsh Christmas bread, simply named “Torth Nadolig” – Christmas Loaf – wheat and rye […]

Holier Than Thou

Butternut Squash, Sunflower Seed, Chile/Pane Pugliese

Tomato2ways

Le Pain Quotidien – that old favourite Tomato Bread with Sundried Tomatoes: It’s in “Bethesdabasics” the first book, but if you haven’t come across it it was originally Rick’s (Mairs Bakehouse) idea. Take a regular recipe and replace one third of the water with tomato sauce or even just tomatoes straight from the tin. I […]

It’s Thanksgiving!

It is, of course, one of the most wonderful soakers imaginable – cranberries soaking in orange juice and bourbon for the famous Thanksgiving Bread. On the other hand the killer is pecans at £42.80 for 2.5 kilos. 5.30 start this morning; the things I do for our American customers. This is what the world looked […]

What is it?

Solution coming up soon!

BVM2

First, to establish a bread connect since this is supposed to be a baking blog. Had a friend round for dinner last night. Sue’s starter was a parsnip & cider soup (only half the bottle came my way). This put me in mind of the Nordic Bakery Cookbook that I bought at least six months […]

Found Poem

Jeremy (hope Hurricane Sandy spared you) was talking about food as art. Well, how about this? Harriet Tarlo is a poet and teaches creative writing at Sheffield Hallam University. She’s also a friend of our friend Kathy, a baker and bought a copy of “Bethesdabasics” from me. Anyway she’s written a learned paper on H.D. […]

Cheesey

You don’t need to taste this one, Marcus – just sniff the photo: Gert wanted Cheese Bread to go with a Swiss menu so I did a version of Ben’s. Isle of Man cheddar is not exactly authentic but I did spread the grated cheese on the dough and roll it up like a […]