The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking [Paperback]

Rick Curry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 1995

In the tradition of The Tassajara Bread Book, Brother Curry combines 80 mouth-watering recipes for bread--gathered from Jesuit brothers around the world--with his spiritual insights on meditation through bread-baking.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Curry, a Jesuit brother and founder of the National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped, has also gained a reputation as a bread baker. His unusual, often absorbing book presents 80 recipes of all sorts along with anecdotes about the Jesuit community, the history of the order, and prayers and blessings. Some of the recipes are Curry's own, several are the daily breads he made as a novice, and many come from other Jesuit brothers and priests from Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and other countries. The recipes are good, and Curry writes well and engagingly; most baking collections will want this.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; 1 edition (June 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060951184
• ISBN-13: 978-0060951184
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It works - 'nuff said, August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking (Paperback)

This book is modest in cover, quality of paper and method of baking but it has the best practical recipes for baking that I have come across. It does not excessively embellish nor waste the reader/baker's time.

My copy is marred with the stains of various flours, doughs, and oils from all the baking that I do from this book. I am pleased to say that the book shows a greater love than all my glossier books that sit on the shelf and are simply food porn (nice pictures but substance lacking).

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nurturing Spirituality With Enjoyable Recipes, February 5, 2003

By 

Juliana LHeureux "Maine Writer" (Topsham, Maine United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking (Paperback)

When you ponder the history of breadmaking, just consider the continuous creativity derived from mixing flour and water. As author Brother Rick Curry, S.J., says, "I'm reminded of the simplicity...A little flour and water and some other wholeseome ingredients make an infinte number of breads".
"The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking" is a delightful collection of spiritual stories and easy to understand bread recipes. Building on the mystique of the Jesuit religious order, Brother Curry kneads the spirtual life and writings of the order's founder Saint Ignatius Loyola into the recipe collection. Indeed, this colection might be particularly interesting for those curious to know more about the Jesuits without having to read a long historical account. At first, I was leary of the large number bread recipes presented because my success with breadmaking was non-existent. I thought, "Why should I buy a book about breadmaking when I've never been able to get the dough to the first rise"? Nevertheless, I wanted to try Brother Curry's recipe for Irish Soda Bread, cooked without yeast, so I purchased the book. Of course, I could have simply copied the recipe without buying the book, but my religious side thought this was being disingenuous. Now, I'm so glad I made the investment because reading the recipes is just as much fun as baking them. Many recipes do not require using yeast, a relief for my breakmaking anxiety. As I tired several different recipes, I became more confident to try at least one yeast recipe. Finally, voila, like a miracle, I actually make O'Brien's Oatmeal Bread! Obviously, I'm now a convert to Brother Curry's recipes and, of course, I intend to try several more recipes as my breakmaking skills are tested. I already have several handwritten notes in the margins of this book documenting my own experiences with the recipes. Thank you Brother Curry and and also to Brother John O'Brien, who was a "vigorous" teacher of Latin at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane Washington when Curry met him and learned his namesake Oatmeal Bread recipe. This is a good book for those needing to develop more faith in their breadmaking ability. If you are already an expert breadmaker, Curry's collection is likely to sharpen the spiritual side of your God given talents.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly recipes!, September 3, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking (Paperback)

I always had trouble with yeast breads. Brother Curry gave me the inspiration and help I needed to make mouth-watering bread easily. His anecdotes to each recipe made this the first cookbook I ever read from cover to cover.