Perfect Bread: How To Successfully Conquer Bread Baking

Betsy Oppeneer, known as the breadbakers' "Pied Piper," calls would be bakers to the kitchen in this informative and easy-to-follow guide to baking bread. Using an onscreen time-code for quick reference, the program is divided into separate chapters including: "Equipment," "Ingredients," "Kneading by Hand," "Using the Food Processor," "Using the Heavy-duty Mixer," "Shaping Techniques," and "Finishing and Storage." Betsy encourages viewers to make their bread by "feel" in order to produce a "better loaf" and "encourage creativity." And she does make it look easy. For the less adventurous though, she does often show two approaches to a particular facet of breadbaking: the "traditional method" and "Betsy's way." Good close-ups, a relaxed and confident teaching style, and strong encouragement make this a good choice for public libraries. Recommended. (Available from: The Breadworks, P.O. Box 348, Norwich, VT 05055.)