Who doesn't love the warm, comforting aroma of bread baking or the taste of
a steaming slice of bread slathered with butter? Biting into a chocolate
chip cookie with the chips still soft from the oven? Slicing
into a freshly baked pie?
These tastes and smells were common in grandma's day. She thought nothing of whipping
up a batch of fresh rolls and a peach pie for Sunday dinner. And recipes -
who needs 'em? She'd watched her mother use a scoop of this and a dash of
that.
For many of us, baking is a little more intimidating. Making a pie crust or working with yeast is a whole new world.
Let these sites stand in for grandma and you'll be baking
like a pro.
All you "knead" to know...
Knowledge is power and How Bread Works
is a good
place to learn the science behind the perfect loaf of bread. This site
includes explanations, a few
experiments to demystify the rising process and a basic bread recipe.
If you'd like to skip
the chemistry class, Fleischmann's Yeast has a site that offers
techniques, tips and troubleshooting. Don't miss
Robin Hood Flour's site. It features workshops for bread machine and
scratch baking, tips
for the seasoned baker and a glossary. You can even post a question and have
a bread-making
expert get back to you.
Of course, man (or woman) does not live by bread alone. We also need
cookies, cakes and pies. The AllRecipe.com Family includes
cakes,
pies,
cookies and
breads. Be sure to check out "Hints &
Tips" for luscious cheesecake, the perfect piecrust, cookie texture and
adventures in alternative flours.
Joyofbaking.com features detailed
instructions on baking cookies, cakes and tarts and includes an excellent guide
to ingredients. You'll find a history lesson at and the secrets of really good chocolate chip cookies at Stephanie Vardavas' site.
Recipes, Recipes & More Recipes
Ready to expand your repertoire?
These sites will keep you busy until your grandchildren
have grandchildren.
Special Diets
Those of you with dietary restrictions don't have to miss out
on all the fun. These sites will show you how to "have your cake and eat it, too."
Put on an apron, roll up your sleeves and get ready to bake. Grandma
would be proud!
--- J. Walker
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