Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into (With DVD) [Hardcover]

Richard Bertinet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2007

Crust is the exciting new bread book from Richard Bertinet. His revolutionary and simple approach that won him so many accolades for his first book Dough continues, but this time he leads you further into the world of breadmaking, introducing recipes that require a little more understanding and time but inspiring you with the confidence to create them at home. Bake a beautiful loaf of the mighty sourdough or surprise your family in the morning with the sweet, warm aroma of freshly baked croissants. Drawn from cuisines and chefs from around the world, Richard's recipes are all accessible and will soon become favorites in your breadmaking repertoire. Experiment with a Thai-inspired flatbread that combines chillies, ginger and lime juice in the dough, or make mini baguettes using Cabernet grape flour--surely the perfect companion to a plate of cheese and ham! These utterly delicious recipes are complemented by sublime photography from Jean Cazals, and a free DVD of Richard taking you through the tips and techniques that make his style of breadmaking so easy and enjoyable. If Dough got you hooked on baking, now it's time to get your teeth into Crust.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bertinet doesn't knead his bread dough in the traditional sense of pushing it with palms and knuckles. Instead, he "works" the dough by lifting it in the air, slapping it back on the work surface, and quickly folding it onto itself many, many times, until it loses much of its stickiness and becomes smooth and malleable. This method takes a bit of practice, but it's well worth it: The ciabattas I baked were light and airy inside, with a lovely, crisp crust. (The DVD that comes with the book is indispensable if you want to nail Bertinet's technique.) -- Fine Cooking

From the Publisher

"Anyone who enjoyed Richard Bertinet's "Dough: Simple Contemporary Bread" will want to read this follow-up volume. "Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into" follows the same formula. It has stunning photos, an instructional DVD and detailed directions for "working" a wet, sticky dough instead of kneading a drier one. While "Dough" concentrated on easy breads, "Crust" helps home bakers master more complex and unusual ones. Sourdough and croissants are building blocks in this book. Fun loaves -- such as bread made with cabernet grape flour, rolls flavored with sake, nori and sesame seeds, and sweet Bath buns -- round out the collection. Readers will enjoy curling up with "Crust," a croissant and cafe au lait." Fresno Bee

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Kyle Books; Har/DVD edition (October 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904920640
• ISBN-13: 978-1904920649
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Originally from Brittany in Northwest France, Richard trained as a baker
both in Brittany and at the Grand Moulin de Paris. His catering background
included a stint at the Silver Plough at Pitton in Salisbury, England, where
in 1990, he was awarded American Express Magazine's UK Pub of the Year.

In 1996, a position as Operations Director with the Novelli Group of
restaurants brought him to London, where he set up the Dough Co., his
consultancy business, in 2000. Since then Richard split his time between
advising on the development of new products for several of the supermarket
chains, teaching, and writing.

In 2004, with a young family, Richard and his wife Jo decided to head to
Bath, England, to be closer to Jo's family. The plans for The Bertinet
Kitchen began to take shape and they opened in September 2005, the same year
that Richard's first baking book, DOUGH, was published by Kyle Cathie. That
book went on to win the 2006 Best Cookbook of the Year Award from the IACP
and the 2006 James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence for Best Book in
the Baking and Desserts category.

Richard published his second book, CRUST, in 2007, and is writing a third
book, COOK, to be published in 2010. The school has won many accolades and
was recently chosen as one of the top 10 cooking schools in the world by
GOURMET magazine. Visit it online at www.thebertinetkitchen.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, December 4, 2007

By 

Just passin trough (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into (With DVD) (Hardcover)

Except to making whole wheat bread, I was new to bread making, and never really understood yeast. I bought two books, this one and Artisan Baking by Maggie Glezer. I like both books but I prefer this one for the detailed pictures, and the explanations, the DVD is also very useful to actually the whole process. I found that both books complemented each other when trying to understand the yeast, poolish, starters, etc. But I still had to search on the web to get a good understanding of starters, fermented dough, biga, poolish and what the difference between them is... if there is one.
My first sourdough bread ever made was perfect, which is impressive, but I made mistakes on both my 2nd (starter misunderstanding) and 3rd recipe (oven heat problem)... But for me that is what makes baking interesting.
Great book!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A genuine "must have" for bakers, December 8, 2008

By 

Neologian "Neologian" (Boston MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into (With DVD) (Hardcover)

I recently purchased both "Dough" and "Crust" and could not be more happy or inspired. They are such beautiful books with excellent instruction and such artful photography they would have been worth the purchase even if I never even attempted the breads. (Then there's the DVD that brings the books instruction to life.)

I've always wanted to be able to turn out quality artisanal breads but have met with unsatisfying results in the past - dense interior structures and under-developed crusts etc. Well, those days are over! As I write this review I am literally sitting with a thick slice of the most delicious sourdough that has the most satisfying crumb, open and airy interior structure, and earthy acidic tang. I can't believe I made it!!

The dough that was used for this loaf was unlike any other I had ever attempted. For the typical American baker this is going to be a wetter dough than you are used to and using Mr. Bertinet's technique your mind will be cryinig out "This can't be right....too sticky...to wet!" Don't listen to that voice and resist the urge to keep adding flour. It truly did require an act of faith - but after a few practice loaves I'm comfortable with not only the technique and sensation of the dough on my fingers but thrilled with the results. I'll never knead or "punch down" my dough again.

I can now produce a finished loaf as beautiful and satisfying as any I have ever purchased. Mr. Bertinet's beautiful books and patient instruction are a gift to bakers everywhere. Highly recommended!

J. Eisenhood

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Breadmaking Book, January 22, 2008

By 

Wes Hallmark (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into (With DVD) (Hardcover)

If you want to make a really excellent sour dough bread, buy this book. I have made 3 batches now and all have received raves from my friends. The appearance, the crust, and most important, the taste are perfect. This book lays out in detail how to get the ferment or starter going, how to properly work the dough, shaping and baking. In the DVD the author demonstrates proper technique in working and folding the bread which was very helpful. I paid full price for this book ($35) and it was worth every penny.