Baking Illustrated book giveaway
I think beginners are always intimidated by baking because of the warnings attached to this genre of kitchen-ness regarding precision.
I’m going to come out and admit that I’m an imprecise baker. I scoop in my measuring cups and often don’t finger sweep. I pour and pinch to my inaccurate-heart’s desire. I’ve only started writing down modifications and deviations since things started going so well gastronomically and people asked for the recipe. Granted I’ve taken much from Harold McGee’s brilliant oeuvre and made a point to understand why things will work or not work.
My kitchen journal is my go-to resource for remembering the trials, errors and mostly delicious successes that have happened in my oven. While I don’t make particularly finicky things that are likely the reason for all the precision-mongering, I think even you naysayers can learn to bake a slew of things without fears of failure harassing you along the way. Breads, muffins, pies and cookies have been forgiving to my speculative ventures.
The awesome folks over at America’s Test Kitchen have offered up a few books from their well-stocked library for me to give to you, my dear readers! I’m starting with one of my personal, all-time fave kitchen resource books.
What I love most about this book are the great illustrations and photos of wrong vs. right. I know ‘Illustrated’ is the title of the book and all, but seriously, what beginners need the most are visuals, if not a hands-on tutorial. This book is full of great input for whatever projects you dare undertake, plus fab tips and tricks to ensure success.
Enter to win a free copy for your kitchen bookshelf by leaving a comment on this post by midnight EST Thursday, April 7 answering the following question: What baking project(s) intimidates you the most?
Per shipping restrictions at ATK, we must extend this giveaway opportunity to US residents only (sorry my fine foreign friends)! One winner will be selected via Random.org on Friday April 8. If you don’t leave your email address in the little box that asks for it on the comment form, I’ll skip you and grant it to the next randomly-generated winner.
Kate
Thanks everyone for entering! Congrats to lucky number 98, Jen of Georgetown, TN.
Reader Comments (163)
Bread is my downfall. I am tired of explaining to the family why we are eating flat "bread" again!!!
Definitely French bread. I have yet to try 'em...
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I have a fear of baking cakes from scratch. Every time I try they are flat and dry!!
I haven't tried melted sugar projects yet. Everything about it makes me nervous, yet I'm dying to try it.
I am most intimidated by meringues. I have yet to attempt them!
Oh goodness! this book looks wonderful!
The baking project that I've been wanting to try, but am afraid won't come out well is French macarons. I've read several blog posts and recipes for them, and they seem to be difficult to master. We had them on the dessert table at my daughter's wedding, and they were delicious!
The most intimidating is croissants and puff pastry. Pan de Mie bread is my goal
Bread intimidates me the most!
Anything requiring a bain mairie intimidates me. I love custards and cheesecakes and the like, but never quite get them right. I know they aren't "baking" in the traditional sense, but they involve an oven, so I think they count!
Starter yeast and phyllo dough are my only baking Waterloos. Otherwise, slap a kitschy but practical apron on me and turn me loose in the kitchen with a bad arse recipe or my own culinary whims!
Chocolate croissants!
I am on the epic and never ending search for the perfect pizza crust! Its not just the ingredients....its the oven, the mode of cooking(pan/unheated stone/preheated stone etc...etc....!!!) the kneading process, so much goes into it, and people are so picky about their crusts...I know I am!