"The weight of 10 sacks of flour have just come off my shoulder. I feel a great sense of triumph to be able to easily make bread." (myself)
"Peter, how did you make this bread? We buy our bread from the Italian bakery and this reminds us of the crusty bread they produce." (Italian neighbor)
"Now this is bread!" ( my father)
"This is the best homemade bread I've ever had. My bread is good but I can never get my bread to get that crusty outside and fluffy inside". ( my mother)
"Where did you buy this bread?" (my brother)
One of the most important aspects of sales, marketing or convincing someone of an idea or belief you hold is through testimonials.
I can now proudly proclaim to be able to make bread, without worry, without much effort and with some patience, make it esthetically appealing and delicious.
My friend Judy of No Fear Entertaining convinced me to order Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day in a matter of moments. I read her blog entry, trusted her proclamation and ordered the book through Amazon.
Zoe Francois and Jeff Hertzberg are childhood friends who remain pals and colleagues after all these years (rare these days) and through trial & error, they've come up with a method to baking artisan bread with little effort and easy to follow instructions.
Let's get one thing out of the way...you will not make bread in five minutes but what you will make is wonderful, artisan-style bread that does NOT require kneading, you mat place a large batch of dough in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze dough portions for future baking.
The book centers around their "master recipe" and with this in hand, one can go off on many bread-making tangents such as baguettes, pizza dough, fougasse, pita bread and array of peasant loaves.
With this book, you'll be armed with 100 bread making recipes, all backed by the master recipe for "no- knead" bread.
Zoe and Jeff also have a website and I urge you to have a peek about what they have to say and if you're ready to buy the book, please note they there are some error's & omissions in the book but they've been upfront about that I've already made notes in my book to reflect those changes.
Now that you're ready to buy the book, I should also mention that you'll need some basic equipment to guarantee an "artisan-style" bread each and every time:
A pizza peel is where you lay your dough to rest before baking and you'll easily slide the dough into the oven just like your neighborhood baker.
The pizza stone goes into your oven to be pre-heated, re-creating the brick oven atmosphere of your local bakery and finally, the plastic tub (or pail) is where your wet dough is allowed to rise and be stored in your fridge for future baking.
There's no real trick to makig artisan bread. The ingredients are tepid water, yeast, salt and flour...nothing else!
You're probably wondering, where's the recipe but I'm really hyped on this book, I think everyone should own a copy and everyone should tell their friends about buying this book...it's that good!
I think Zoe and Jeff deserve all the success and rewards from the book sales, they went through alot of experimentation and time to offer up this book.
For those still on the fence about buying this book and in lieu of the artisan bread recipe, I'm giving away one book per 1oo (hundred) comments. Just leave a comment at the bottom of this post by no later than Friday February 6th, 2009 EST.
A draw will be held through a computer-generated random draw.
Good luck and happy baking!
P.S. Already have the book, no worries. You can still enter and if you win, give it to someone as a gift!
If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://kalofagas.blogspot.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at truenorth67 AT gmail DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author.
© 2007-2009 Peter Minakis










141 comments:
This is great looking bread Peter!! Homemade bread is really wonderful and just look at that gorgeous crust on your loaves! A slice of your crusty bread with butter just perfection in my book.
I must click on your link a read about this book it really sounds a good one!
I've had this book for about a year now & love it. We never buy bread anymore. The buttermilk bread makes a perfect loaf for sandwiches.
I so want this book! Your bread is BEAUTIFUL you did a wonderful job!
Sounds great and I'm very curious about this! Your bread does look delicious in the pictures!
What gorgeous loaves! Very well done!
I'd love to own this great book!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those breads look like at the bakery shops. I am curious to see more inside the book.
Oooh Yummy yum yum!
That bread of yours really does look the part I must say! I need that book!
Oh I really really want this book! I have been thinking of buying it but ... well just haven't as things come up. BUT... you could draw my name and give it to me! How cool would that be! ;-) I am so into making bread.
Peter, I gave up bread since the New Year...well, not completely (it's reserved for special occasions) but I may have to reconsider. These loaves look too tempting! Pass the butt-ah!
I am so glad that you are enjoying this book! The bread is truly incredible isn't it? Keep enjoying it Peter!
Peter, those breads look fabulous. I love baking bread but have not tried that method (or seen the book) yet....until you draw my name, that is!
I too had been reading post after post about this book and decided to give bread making a go--as you already know--while you and I were chatting about it the other day. Our "simultaneous" breadmaking efforts (I swear we must have mixed and baked at precisely the same time as our Messenger chats found us at exactly the same point in the process with each new update) yielded the same delicious results: moist bread with an exquisite crust.
Really a must-try for all cooks!
I can't wait to find this book. I love artisan bread and would love to make it at home. Thanks Peter!
Blimey Peter that looks like some fantastic bread! Great crust going on there! I've heard loads about the book, but only from US and Canadian blogs, so I would be very chuffed if I win it!
If I wasn't already convinced that you can do everything in the kitchen, I am now. Beautiful bread!
Bravo, you did it. Bread look delicious, and the texture also look great. See, nothing beat homemade bread. They are the best, Peter!
Cheers,
Elra
i need that book - amazing bread!
I've been trying to decide which bread making book to buy since I have recently become interested in making my own bread again from scratch. I've heard about this book and now reading your post today has convinced me that I want this book in my collection. Thanks Peter. Your bread looks fantastic!
Peter, that is some great looking bread. I've read so much about this bread, but still make my bread the old fashioned way. Sometimes it's good to take out my frustrations on some dough that needs pounding and kneeding, but maybe I should try this for the days I feel happy!
I do have this book and i love them too.
I always make my home bread as my hubby can only digest spelt flour so i make spelt bread at home. So it is the choice between making the bread home or giving to many euros for a small loaf od spelt.
And yes i totally agree with yourfamily home made breads are the best.
Don't count me in your book giveaway - I'm already a proud owner :) I *love* to make this bread. There are just no downsides to it!
This bread looks absolutely perfect Peter. I've seen many bloggers using this book and have been thinking about getting it myself, too! Hopefully I will win it though, lol.
This looks like bread I would find in a professional bakery! I would LOVE to have a copy of this book. Nothing better, and healthier, than bread made with love from home!
Working on perfecting my croissants this year, but this sounds great!!!
the bread looks great. I love your site.
Dr. Nick Costidakis drnick61@hotmail.com
I just LOVE this book! It's the best out there. We already have a copy, so you don't have to enter us. Let another person get a chance at winning this prize!
You bread looks marvelous Peter. Now it's time for lunch.
Now that's what I call good lookin' bread! And, no kneading to-boot! So does the bread dough require refrigeration or are you just able to refrigerate it. The 2 week refrigeration thing would call for a lot of patience! Boy, it sure looks worth the wait though! YUM!
I've wanted this book for so long! Your bread looks absolutely amazing, I think I drooled a little.
I've made the Cook's Illustrated take on this approach (No-Knead Bread 2.0, Jan-Feb 2008) a couple of times now with good results. May be time to get the book and really give it a go.
Seth
twitter.com/eleneezdad
Sign me up for the book. I've been coveting this book for some time now.
Also, I love your blog!
Wondeful! Now we need some olive oil & spices to dip the bread in.
I feel lucky today, so if I win the book, I donate it to BloggerAid http://bloggeraid.ning.com for an auction we will be doing later on and all the profits will go to the World Food Programme. Good job with the bread making.
Great looking bread!
P, Before I buy the book, I want a chance to win it! I have never made bread before (I hate the whole yeast thing! ha!).
Claire, Giff and you made beautiful loaves.
I want to join the club too.
Stace
Wow, Peter, you are amazing, baking so many bread in one go? They are awesome. Word of mouth is so powerful, although I like mine already by Richard Rheinart. I am very tempted to get this one as well. I thought mine was already effort less, you make me curious now. will go your other links shortly to explore further. You mentioned Pizza stone, I bought one from St Lawrence Market and packed in my suitcase back to Switzerland.
Get out...no kneading? I'm almost convinced to give up my ban on baking and try it...but I'd rather eat yours! I, too, was expecting a shot with a dish of olive oil. I guess the message is the bread stands on it own...no need (kneed?) for more. Loved the testimonials! Great job! Is there a Kalofogas bakery in the future?
Beautiful bread. You know I love making fresh bread, and do so nearly every day. I'd love to read this book.
I have just renewed my interest in bread baking but I do it in my old Zojirushi bread maker. I would very much like to get this book and try making artisanal bread the way you described it. And yes, I do visit and read your blogs because I work for a very wonderful boss who's from Greece and I've been there too.
Peter, isn't it a pleasure to have a bread that is so easy and getting such great results a blast!!! I was introduced to this procedure about a year ago, by far my favorite way ever.... ;-) You must try their Challah recipe!
Peter, I had the pleasure of tasting some bread that carondg made from this book. It was awesome! Your photographs are great!
for what artisan bread costs at the supermarket, you'll be able to make up the cost of the book on your first loaf! It looks delicious Peter.
Oh that bread looks so very, very good!!! And I have learned (even though you didn't post a recipe - smart boy) so much today. Of course, our fridge wouldn't know how to hold a pail so I continue to digest great food vicariously over here.
Dear Peter, what`s really nice bread!! yam,yam, but I think all you make is georgeous but I realy love your bread,xxxxGloria
And the pictures sooooo nice!!
Peter, you did a marvelous job with this bread!! I just want to slice into it for a taste. The crust looks amazing! I haven't made anything from that book yet. Glad you like it...and thanks for the giveaway!! Great post here!
I would like one! I've seen the couple on TV but haven't tried the bread yet. Nice job, Peter.
pictures like this show exactly why i could never, ever, ever, even if my life depended on it, survive on a no (or low) carb diet.
The pictures look amazing. Have never made bread and this post motivates me to try it.
Yeah! It's working now. As I've said in my last three attempts - this is a wonderful post and I'm really intrigued by this book because so many of my favorite cooks have been raving about it!
Your pictures look wonderful! I have seen several posts on different blogs about this bread lately and will definitely have to get the materials and book to try it soon.
Can I have just a slice of this super homemade bread please??
I'm really interested in this book, because I'm trying to cut HFCS out of my diet. It's even in bread. Homemade bread is tastier and healthier, so it's time to start making it.
Nice loaves Peter :) I wasn't paying attention tonight when I threw in a loaf and didn't add the water to the broiler pan - makes a big difference! Definitely better with steam.
I love this book. I haven't made a bad loaf out of it yet! Welcome to the club!!!
i love that you didn't post the recipe. it just wouldn't be right to. i may just have to purchase this... that is IF i don't win.
This looks like a great book.
Judging on the comments, you have defintely got a winner here, Peter!!!
OMG Peter your little anecdote is sooo funny! It sounds like something just out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding!!!
The bread looks like something I made in my bread baking classes in school! Awesome!
This bread looks SO good!!! I need to get that cookbook! If I don't win it I am going to order it from Amazon!
Peter your blog is great! I've been seeing Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes A Day all over the blogs and I'm dying to buy it!
I just got a new KitchenAid stand mixer and will take any excuse to use it, especially fresh bread.
Finally Peter you're talking about your bread making, I was waiting for that post. Don't we love that bread. It's so good. I even made a wonderful pizza with the dough. If I win, my daughter will be happy to get her own copy in Ottawa.
Your bread looks wonderful!
Wow...considering all the praises I heard on this book...shall I run to a nearby store and grab one? hehehe... (I am not the kind who normally win anything from a lucky draw hehe)
with my luck, the book is probably sold out and i won't be able to find it in hong kong. arrghhhh. enough negativity for the year of the ox, rita
i've been selling a few of my cookbooks but since then i have bookmarked a few new ones. at this rate i'll be filling up those shelves soon again! this looks wonderful!
Ah! the Crustyness of that crust!! My husband would cry with happiness if he got that for breakfast, he is a crust addict!
Wow, that's cracking bread, Peter! Fantastic texture, and delicious-lookng crust. Show us more!
How cool is that...love ur artisan bread...n will try it one day for sure :)
What a coincidence, coz I just ordered the book this afternoon ;p Your bread looks really wonderful ^_^
Holy smokes Kalofaga,the breads look awesome. Was it difficult to get that nice, open hole structure?
Thanks for the reminder Peter. It worked quite well in my stainless steel pot heated in the oven "a la Michael Smith". :D
I absolutely love this bread!! I keep some of this dough in my fridge at all times, the longer it sits the more sourdough flavor develops ... great pics!!
Hi Peter: I'm Jeff Hertzberg, one of the co-authors of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Thanks so much for doing this (but please don't enter me into the drawing)! People might find the video link below to be helpful.
Jeff Hertzberg
www.artisanbreadinfive.com
http://twitter.com/ArtisanBreadIn5
Chicago tribune video: http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780312362911&m_type=2&m_contentid=119255#video
Look at you! I twll people don't be afraid of the yeast. I'm glad you crossed over and your breads look excellent. I have the book, but enter me so I can try to get my aunt on board. Gret looking breads. B-King now stands for Bread King.
I just got a pizza stone for christmas and am looking forward to making bread! Christine
Bread looks amazing. Can't wait to read the book.
You have convinced me, I must have this book! I've put it off for too long!
Thank you, thank you! I'm so glad you tried the book and are having such great success with all your bread! It is gorgeous!
Cheers! Zoë
Fresh hand made bread, nothing like it, superb and the photos look fantastic.
after all those rave reviews, i'd be a fool not to do everything in my power to have this bread. i like my bread chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside, and my mama didn't raise no fool. :)
I just got the book too. The flavor and texture is quite remarkable. I've always preferred buying bread because it's not super expensive and is a pain to make, but this book convinced me that I was wrong. Now I find it's a lot easier to cut off a hunk of dough that's in the fridge and make my own loaf than going out in the cold to go buy one!
That's it. I'm ordering the book. I want bread that looks like THAT!
My bread comes out best when I spray water into the oven a couple of times as the loaf bakes. A roasting pan with water sounds much simpler. I'll give that a try. Would really love to get that book!
Anon, I have no way of verifying who you are if you win. Please leave an email with your post.
Thanks for inspiring me to make fabulous bread!
HI Peter! Your blog is wonderful! The bread looks fantastic! I hope to be considered for the book too! I have been considering bread baking for a while but never learned! Thank you so much for a great blog site! andreaboujoukos@yahoo.com
I'm a bread lover and have always wanted to bake truly delicious bread. This book sounds like the resource I need! Your bread looks amazing!
I love this book too!
I am an experinced home bread baker and do still love my long methods of kneading, retarding, proofing, and baking but am thrilled to have this new method in my aresenal!
It really is a great dough to have on hand for a quick and delicious loaf of bread with your dinner.
That bread looks fantastic! I keep saying I seriously need to start making bread already, and if it looks like that, I'll be that much better off
Oh My!! what a treat! That is one beautiful looking bread, the texture is so light with all those air pockets & I just Love Love the way the outside looks! Nothing like what the home smells like with bread baking.
I love this book too Peter, it really changed everything about how I relate to bread. Since I bought this book months and months ago I have never bought another loaf! This stuff is amazing, I have given many books as gifts! Thanks for posting about it!
Peter, this is one great looking bread!!! Better than any storebought. You receive a standing ovation from me. I love baking breads and I am keep your recipe for my next tryout.
PS: When I click on your Facebook link it opens to your blog home page, not facebook. just wanted to let you know. Cheers;)
Hi Peter, it's a wonderful idea to offer the book instead of giving the recipe ! And your bread is so goodlooking !
I do my bread too but from Christmas i do it with the help of a "machine a pain"... but I still use home-made yeast-leaven (I don't know how you say it) which I keep in the fridge.
That is some nice looking bread! I still have not tried making one of these no knead breads.
Great bread Peter! I've wanted this book for some time now, so I hope I win!
Oh Peter, these breads are yelling at me: eat me, eat me, spread me with some butter and eat me...
I wish I could win this book and wish you could send it all the way to China!!!!
Thanks for sharing some bread love with us
saludos,
heidi
I love Homemade bread!
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Gee Peter. I have not really been bitten by the bread making bug, but this post has got me itching to try it. Sounds like a great book for a beginner.
LL
Wow Peter, you convinced me!!! It's been a long time since I want to bake my own bread at home and I trust you here :D.
I will wait to see if I'm the lucky one and if not... I'm buying the book... sure!
I bet that if you get commissions for the selling of the book, you'll win enough money to have your vacation paid to Spain ;D
Excellent bread Peter, absolutely fantastic.
Your bread looks amazing! and I would love to get my hands on this book! it's on my wishlist! I'm in the midst of a total bread making craze!
I've been thinking about buying this book and would love to own it!
I am drooling looking at all of this bread. I'm hoping you will give me a recipe or two in order to convince me to buy the book!
Yeah Pete! You have joined the club. It is the best bread ever isn't it! I try to keep some dough in my fridge at all times. Love the book and need to try other doughs out of it but have stopped at the master- well because it is the MASTER! Have a great day!
That bread looks amazing! I so want this book!
The bread looks awesome and I would LOVE one of the books!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks fantastic and the book sounds very interesting, would love to have a copy
I just purchased this book & looking forward to my 1st attempt this weekend. Not having the "bread kneading" gene has always pained me.. especially since the best thing in the world is the smell & taste of fresh baked bread. My previous attempts have been.. shall we say.. PITIFUL!!!!!!
I enjoy your blog & look forward to checking it daily!
Have a great day!
Val
Dear Peter,
You've been a constant inspiration and encouragement daily in my kitchen.The fact that I have to feed a very Greek Husband daily helps me with the decision making part.I've been making bread for 25 years the way my mother taught me,but the simple fact remains nothing tastes as good as fresh baked bread.Thanks for the inspiration. I will defenitely try this out.Your loyal reader.
I have always wanted to make my own bread, but the kneading always left me wanting! :-) I can't wait to try this recipe!
That pasta looks wonderful; the simple things are often the best, aren't they? I'd love to win the book - we're on a very tight budget and making our bread would be a big savings and we'd end up with better bread. If I win, it's a win-win situation :)
Your bread looks so warm and delicious! This is the kind of bread I use for comfort food. Great job!
Lovely pictures Peter; now if you could make a pizza with not much fuss as for this bread would be nice.
Maria
Well, if Greeks say this bread is good, it must be good! I still haven't found something here that's like the stuff in Greece.
I have heard nothing but good things about this book! You've really perked my curiousity even more by the looks of your loaves!
I've been baking bread for over 50 years...but I'd still love to win this book. All of the breads that I make are "kneaded"...I'd appreciate trying these. I'm feeling lucky today! (Just hearing about the book is a good thing!)
Gorgeous bread, Peter! Sounds like a fantastic book! I never win anything, so I'm going to pop that sucker onto my Amazon list for my next order....I think there are like 40 cookbooks on there already! lmao XOXO
Okay, I'll bite!
I loved the testemonials and I would love to be able to make bread at home. I think my husband would love it too. I keep saying that I'll start but I still haven't ... procrastination is an art form.
My home baker bakes great bread too. He uses the method propagated by the NY times as discussed in Mother Earth News. No kneading either, but a long slow slow rise. The only special equipment is cast-iron dutch oven. It's fabulous.
I really enjoy Zoe's blog, and would be very willing to try her method.
I am so glad you are encouraging your readers to try their hand at homemade bread, Peter.
Sylvie
Fantastic! I can never make bread like this!
Your bread is gorgeous! I'd love to own this book! *fingers crossed*
The bread looks like it came from an upscale bakery that does old-school, stone-hearth bread baking. Awesome! Thanks for the great blog post and yes, I hope I win. *unabashed plea* Glad to be following you on Twitter!
Good thing I picked today to catch up on some blog reading! I have heard of this book, and I want to buy it, but I am forbidden from buying any more cookbooks until after we pay our taxes for the year. Please pick me or I'll be forced to wait for it at the library!
Not playing since I already have the book (not that I am not in a playful mood), but just to mention that Stéphane and I had a go at making pizze with the master dough recipe and it was Tony the Tiger kind of great.
I am already a happy book owner. Love the easy recipes and knowing I can whip up a loaf of bread in minutes.
I've got a batch of dough in my refrigerator now that I have been using for pizzas this week.
The bread looks like it just walked out of some fancy dancy New York Bakery! Good job Pete..you would never have know that you didn't buy it...And I bet it tasted 100 times better....
Your bread looks divine! Nothing like a good loaf of crusty bread with a warm, soft center dripping with slow melting hard butter! Yum! Love your recipe posts Peter!
Hey Peter - I need this book desperately because I'm terrified of bread making and need something to make it easier. Also, I really want to eat the bread in this post, and so I should probably get to baking ;)
Randi
Fabulous looking breads, Peter. I would love to try that technique.
I've thought about purchasing this book, but I read some bad reviews on Amazon. Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day sounds very appealing though.
I just recently started making breads and I am hooked. I have had my eye on this book and hope I can get a copy soon.
Your bread looks great.
Baking bread is addictive!! I don't even want to buy it anymore.
It's been many years since I've baked bread. I've heard so much about this book. I'd love to have a copy, so I can try bread baking again.
After reading all the comments and seeing your photos about the bread, I am really intrigued. I have to try this book and the bread!
You convinced me to buy the book, then I realized you are giving one away. If I don't win, I'll still buy the book! I've never made bread, Im so excited!!!
Your loaves turned out beautiful. Isn't this great bread? I have the book and love it, but would give gladly give a copy to a friend if I win!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have heard all good things about it. I just can't afford to buy a copy myself!
After spending lots of time working on making bread the hard way, I would welcome the opportunity to try a simpler approach. Plus, your results are beautiful!!
Your bread looks fabulous! I have seen this book in the store and I knew I should have bought it.
Oh wow - those loaves look spectacular - and talk abtou some stellar testimonials :) I have a deep mistrust of my own bread-makign skills and maybe this book is the cure.
I think you'll find, though, that there is no Friday 7 February in 2009 :)
Peter, your bread looks so yummy. There is nothing better in my opinion that good home-made bread.
It's times like this I really wish they had smell-o-vision through the internet. Those loaves look amazing!
Oh My God does that bread look good. I'm definitely checking out that cookbook. Thanks for letting us know about it.
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