Product Description

For courses in Introduction to Baking and Baking and Pastry Fundamentals. Following the successful approach developed with Labensky's On Cooking, 3/e, On Baking is a carefully designed text intended to teach both the principles and practice of baking and the pastry arts. The focus of the book is the underlying baking principles and skills necessary to produce a wide array of baked goods and confections.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #246957 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 736 pages

From the Back Cover

Attractively designed and extensively illustrated, On Baking expands upon the well-known On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals to provide an authoritative yet contemporary introduction to baking and pastry arts. On Baking focuses on information relevant to today's students and working culinary professionals. Comprehensive and well written, On Baking emphasizes an understanding of bakeshop fundamentals, explores the preparation of fresh ingredients, and provides a wealth of information on the "how and why" of baking science and techniques.

FEATURES

• 620 tested and proven recipes and formulas for breads, cookies, pastries, desserts, custards, ice creams and the full-range of bakeshop products
• Essays and formulas from more than 40 working chefs, bakers and food writers allow readers to benefit from the combined expertise of these professionals
• 700 color photos and line drawings illustrate step-by-step preparation techniques and presentations and identify equipment and fresh ingredients
• 21 informative chapters cover bakeshop basics such as quick breads, cookies, brownies and pies, as well as advanced preparations including laminated Boughs, contemporary tortes, plated desserts and chocolate designs
• Each copy of this book includes a CD of ValuSoft^® MasterCook software, which includes all of the recipes in the book.

About the Author

Sarah R. Labensky, CCP, Director of the Mississippi University for Women Culinary Arts Institute and co-author of On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals

Eddy Van Damme, Pastry Chef and Director of the pastry arts program, Houston Community College

Priscilla Martel, food writer and baking instructor, co-author of The Best Bread Ever, and contributing editor of The New Cook's Catalogue

Klaus Tenbergen, CMB, CEPC, ASBPB, German Master Baker and Chef Instructor at The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Building on the successful approach developed in On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals, On Baking is a carefully designed text intended to teach both the principles and practices of baking and the pastry arts. Although it contains more than 600 recipes for a wide range of traditional and contemporary bakeshop items, the focus of this book is on the underlying baking principles and skills necessary to produce a wide array of baked goods and confections. Throughout the text, we discuss both the how and why of baking. Extensive step-by-step photographs help you visualize the techniques used to form bread dough or shape cookies or temper chocolate, for example, while recipes illustrate the baking principle and procedures. Throughout the book, we also provide extensive illustrated sections identifying bakeshop ingredients and equipment. We believe that a thorough understanding of the function of ingredients will serve you well throughout your baking career.

Numerous professional bakers, pastry chefs and educators throughout the country contributed recipes to this book, usually illustrated with a photograph of the item as it was actually prepared in their kitchens. These recipes and illustrations allow you to explore different techniques and presentation styles. As in On Cooking, informative sidebars provide background on the rich historical and cultural traditions of the bakeshop. And professionals share their insights and technical knowledge in brief comments scattered throughout the book.

Chapter 18 is devoted to alternative baking for consumers with special dietary needs in the hope that today's well-trained baker will understand how and why to adapt formulas to this clientele. As a working professional, you may encounter convenience products in use in many restaurants, hotels or institutions. Therefore, each chapter of On Baking includes practical information on convenience products, providing information on the selection, storage, handling and use of these items.

We wish you much success throughout your professional career and hope that this book serves to inspire and inform you for many years to come.

A NOTE ON RECIPES AND FORMULAS

Recipes throughout this text are designed to reinforce and explain techniques and procedures presented in the text. Recipes intentionally produce lower yields used typically in small schools and teaching kitchens. Volume measurements are provided only when the quantity of an ingredient would be difficult to weigh without specialized equipment—less than 1/2 ounce of salt, leavening or spices, for example. All ingredients are listed in both U.S. and metric measurements. In most instances the metric equivalents are rounded off to even, easily measured amounts. You should consider these ingredient lists as separate recipes or formulas; do not measure some ingredients according to the metric amounts and other ingredients according to the U.S. amounts or the proportions will not be accurate and the intended result will not be achieved.

Baker's percentages are also included for many of the recipes in this text. Widely used in the professional bakeshop, baker's percentages are very useful for increasing or decreasing yields as needed. Yields are provided in either total batch weight or total yield, offering suggested portion sizes where appropriate.

Detailed procedures for standard techniques are presented in the text and are generally not repeated in each recipe (for example, "apply egg wash" or "divide the dough"). No matter how detailed the written recipe, however, we must assume that you possess certain knowledge, skills and judgment.

Variations appear at the end of selected recipes. These variations enable you to see how one set of techniques or procedures can be used to prepare different dishes with only minor modifications. Variations also provide the advanced baker or pastry chef the opportunity to customize recipes for different applications.

A registered dietician analyzed all of the recipes in this book using nutritional analysis software that incorporates data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, research laboratories and food manufacturers. The nutrient information provided here should be used only as a reference, however. A margin of error of approximately 20 percent can be expected because of natural variations in ingredients. Preparation techniques and serving sizes may also significantly alter the values of many nutrients. In the nutritional analysis for a recipe that offers a choice of ingredients, the first-mentioned ingredient is the one used unless stated otherwise. Ingredients listed "as needed" are omitted from the analysis. Corn oil and whole milk are used throughout for "vegetable oil" and "milk," respectively. In cases of a range of ingredient quantities or numbers of servings, the average is used.

Throughout this book various recipes are marked with a pyramid symbol. This symbol identifies dishes that are particularly low in calories, fat, saturated fat or sodium; if appropriate, they may also be a good source of vitamins, protein, fiber or calcium.

The World Wide Web icon appears next to end-of-chapter Questions for Discussion whose answers may be researched on the web.

It is most important to remember that baking is both an art and a science. It is best learned through hands-on experience combined with study of the principles that underlie each technique. You should rely on the knowledge and skills of your instructor for guidance. Although some skills and an understanding of theory can be acquired through reading and study, no book can substitute for repeated, hands-on preparation and observations.

---

Customer Reviews

A fine book reference from a fine Pastry Chef!!
I had heard about this book from friends and colleagues and was determined to get it. After reviewing the recipes, ingredients, techniques and methods, I have determined this to be a PREMIERE and excellent reference book for improving my baking and pastry skills. It is truly a great asset to any beginner/intermediate/advanced home pastry chef-in-the-making.

If you don't get this book you are really missing out on a great opportunity to really learn the art of baking and pastry.

*** Did I mention that the book includes a CD-ROM of MasterChef and all of the recipes in the book?

Absolutely indespensible!
We use this as a textbook at the Culinary institute of Las Vegas in several classes and I absolutely love it. Has extremely helpful terminology and teaches you the basics of the bakeshop in a way that doesn't put you to sleep.

It's not just recipes, but teaches you the hows and whys behind the processes. A fantastic reference for everything you ever wanted to bake, but didn't know how!!!

On Baking by Eddy Van Damme is a MUST for every Chef & Cook!
This cookbook is a feast for the eyes and offers extraordinary recipes for both the novice and professional baker. The recipes bring a new creativity and delicacy to the palate, herefore unavailable. I have prepared many of the recipes and ALL have been winners: check out the creme brulee and then continue to read through the multiple options that spring from this one delicious dessert.
This is a classic MUST HAVE cookbook that you will turn to repeatedly and will be delighted with the results.
Maya Buck