A Gift: Brother Juniper's Bread Book

From Publishers Weekly
Brother Juniper's Bakery in Sonoma County, Calif., is run by Brother Peter Reinhart and his wife Sister Susan as a ministry of the Christ the Saviour Brotherhood. And Reinhart's subtitle introduces some amiable confusion, for whereas the author argues for the "slow rise" method as a general principle in developing "character" in a bread and crust and demonstrates its application in a fine recipe and procedure for "Sweet French Bread," more frequently he departs from it. The highly praised "Struan," for instance, a five-grain traditional Scottish "golden loaf" that "radiates in many directions," tolerates only two rather quick risings, character being born by "conditioners" such as buttermilk and polenta, rather than process. Brother Peter's wish to present a central principle for bread [...] well balanced by pragmatism. He makes insightful use of whole grains but has not a word to spare for unleavened breads. This book has much to say to the experienced baker, although the novice will find basics adequately covered.