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Simply Great Breads - Sweet and Savory Yeasted Treats
by Daniel Leader
The Taunton Press
ISBN 978-1-60085-297-8
Published March 2010 - Hardcover - 136 pages - $22.00

I adore the smell of freshly-baked bread, and flipping through this book was not only enticing, I could almost smell the breads.  Daniel Leader's yeast breads are very tempting and easy to make.  Leader is known for his natural yeast and long-fermenting starters for his breads, but this time around he's offering "yeast-raised treats" which are not that time-consuming to make.  His Contents offers us Classic Breakfast Breads; An Ideal Bread Basket: Flavor-Packed Flatbreads, and Quick Yeasted Treats.  Do read the Introduction as there are many very useful hints and tips which, in time, could mean the difference between bread and fantastic tasting bread.  You'll learn a few great ideas on which yeast to use to maximize your bread's taste and texture, which flours do what, and which utentsils are handy.  I loved the idea of a baking stone.  Leader also gives us online contacts for the hard-to-get-locally ingredients.  There are recipes for English Muffins, Crumpets, and even authentic bagels.  Not only are we spoiled for choice with bread recipes, there are also recipes for Navajo Fry Bread, one for breadsticks, rolls, brioche, challah, and even doughnuts.  I really fancied the Savory Yeasted Tart with Onion Confit and Olives.  Once you get into the the groove of breadkmaking, the thought of store-bought bread (not artisinal breads) is not that appealing.  Home-made is healthier.
Illustrated.  No nutritional guides.
Conclusion - An easy way to make home-made breads and bread treats.  Just gorgeous.