Anyone have any cookbook recommendations for Italian breads?

Anyone have any cookbook recommendations for Italian breads?

Steve
  • Posted by: Steve
  • September 25, 2015
  • 2208 views
  • 15 Comments

15 Comments

Windischgirl September 25, 2015
Daniel Leader's "Local Breads" has several chapters on regional Italian breads, and I have made many of them with good success.

The trouble I had with Nancy Silverton's book was in the starter instructions, which result in gallons and gallons of starter, most of which is discarded...at $1 per pound for quality flour, it seems like a terrible waste. It's not a book for a beginning baker. But if you already have an active starter, Silverton's book does a good job of spelling out the steps to get a great loaf of bread.
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thanks so much- this sounds very much like what I'm looking for! I'll check it out.
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thanks very much! This book sounds very promising! I'll check it out.
 
ChefJune September 25, 2015
I've had Carol Field's "The Italian Baker" for many years. It is well stained and dogeared.
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thx, that book seems to be getting the most recommendations.
 
boulangere September 25, 2015
Mine, too, June
 
amysarah September 25, 2015
Don't know if it's still in print, but Nancy Silverton's La Brea Bakery book has a lot of Italian breads. I like her Italian recipes in general - her Mozza Cookbook is excellent.
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thanks!
 
702551 September 25, 2015
It doesn't matter if it's currently in print or not.

These days it's pretty easy to get a used copy of any previously popular cookbook at Abebooks.com (used bookstore aggregation site now owned by Amazon.com).
 
PieceOfLayerCake September 25, 2015
Nancy Silverton is one of the reasons I'm a baker today. I would trust her implicitly with any recipe she puts forward.
 
cookbookchick September 25, 2015
Carol Field's "The Italian Baker." It's also been revised so there are a couple of editions.
 
Ali S. September 25, 2015
That's what I was gonna say!
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thanks!
 
HalfPint September 25, 2015
I have a 90's (?) edition and it's still a great book with reliable instructions.
 
Steve September 25, 2015
Thanks, I see it in iBooks too.
 
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