Baking with Julia : Sift, Knead, Flute, Flour, And Savor...

Rating:
Summary: Way too time-consuming for my lifestyle
Review: This is a wonderful book for impressing your guests with interesting recipes. However, I was hoping to find a good book with recipes for a variety of breads. This book has good explanations of techniques and ingredients. There are way too many "artisan" style breads like Bialys, Nan and Challah. Many recipes also use a starter. I prefer to grab ingredients off the shelf to make herb, wheat, foccacia, irish soda bread, etc. This book includes those also, but I'm afraid I paid too much for a book that didn't have many practical recipes. The sections other than breads were the same way... too time-consuming and complicated.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite cookbook!
Review: This is an excellent step by step to the basics of baking. Good pictures. Very detailed recipes from the experts. Has recipes from everything from biscuits and biscotti to wedding cakes.

Rating:
Summary: Become a better baker with this book
Review: This is one of the most frequently used cookbooks in my kitchen. The recipes are easy to understand and although laborious at times, the effort is often worth it. I feel that this book has helped me improve my cooking/baking skills tremendously. I would suggest the recipient of this book obtain a heavy duty mixer, since many of the recipes require its use. Julia and her co-author conspirators display a helpful humor, advising the consulting cook not to worry when things look like they shouldn't. I highly recommend this book and have purchased it as a gift for several friends. The beautiful pictures are a great inspiration, as well.

Rating:
Summary: baking enthusiast
Review: What a wonderful book! I received this book as a gift 2 years ago and since then have refered to it repeatedly when I want to learn to make an authentic recipe from well-known bakers from across the country. The book covers all the basics: artisan breads, sweet breads, pies, etc. - and from there you learn to master and build a strong foundation for future recipes. The bagel recipe is so easy and delicious I now have friends requesting me to save some when I make them! While some of the recipes are definately time consuming, they are definately worth it should you find a few extra hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon. If you are serious about becoming a better baker at home this book definately delivers!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic but not completely comprehensive
Review: While those of us who have a bookcase of cookbooks know that other Julia Child books have necessary information (such as measurements), those who wanted a comprehensive cookbook should not rely on this book alone. However, with that said, this book has some of the most creative, tasty baked products I have seen. The Tourte Milanaise is my particular favorite. It says to serve it room temperature or cold but I would recommend cutting it and then warming it again. The cheese and tarragon in the eggs comes out when warm and you miss it when it is chilled. What a delight though. I recommend this book for anyone who loves to bake and anyone who loves Julia Child!

Rating:
Summary: Yummmmmy! The best baking book I own!
Review: You'll love this book if you like to make interesting recipes from scratch. While more time consuming than recipes from many other books, the effort is WELL worth it.