Holt Chef Christopher - The complete book of home baking: country comfort

COUNTRY COMFORT: THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HOME BAKING

Text Copyright 2012 Monica Musetti-Carlin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-441-4

Cover and interior design by Nick Macagnone

DISCLAIMER
Any similarities to existing recipes are purely coincidental.

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This book is dedicated to my son, Matt, who continues to try new foods and relishes my cooking. To all the wonderfully talented foodies who sent me their family favorites. To my sister, Kathy, who has contributed to every one of my books in the Country Comfort series either with her own recipes or those of her friends. As always, to Anna Krusinski, for her talent and patience.

When I relocated to Texas from Brooklyn, New York, many of my favorite foods such as bialys and rugelach were nowhere to be found. After my retirement, the answer to my dilemma became abundantly clear. If the closest store for these foods was 1,500 miles away, I would have to learn to make them fresh myself. I consulted with my mother who inspired me to duplicate the foods from my childhood. Trial and error, no matter how simple the directions, is a process which leads to constant improvement. Becoming an experienced baker requires patience, observation, and creativity. It took me several years to appreciate the subtle differences in how dough behaves, and particularly how it should feel in your hands to get predictable results.

When Monica asked me to contribute to this special cookbook, I jumped at the chance. Sharing a love of baking, and the bonds it can create, Monica has developed a wonderful collection of recipes that have been passed down for generations, along with some original recipes invented by passionate bakers.

Prepare yourself for a journey back to the place where your dreams were born. Remember when your home was filled with the sweet aromas of baked pastries and breads, and how you were amazed by the endless assortment of tasty and gorgeous goods at your local bakery. Those childhood memories will always remain fresh in your mind. Just as music can remind us of our youth, food can reach even deeper into our souls. It can bring us back to family gatherings at the dinner table and remind us of those who brightened our lives but are no longer with us. When we learn to bake the foods we associate with love, we are rewarded with the opportunity to share those warm experiences with our dearest friends and family.

Oftentimes, we are remembered for the blessings we pass on. At my Aunts funeral 20 years ago, her husband gave a eulogy and spoke of her in endearing terms as a wife, mother, grandmother, and wonderful friend. He ended his speech by pointing out how she made the best noodle pudding, to which many of us nodded in remembrance and smiled with weepy tears. Recipes passed on through generations are cherished and become priceless because of the memories they carry with them. Perhaps the most special aspects of home cooking lie in the selection of the finest ingredients and the loving care in its preparation.

Country Comfort: The Complete Book of Home Baking contains recipes from home bakers who never gave up until the oven yielded a gift from their past. With every baking venture, we learn how to get closer to perfection. The labor of love could not be more exquisitely defined than through the magic of creation in our kitchens.

As you find new recipes to try within this book, let them inspire you to explore the variations from cultures throughout the world to make them your own. If future generations remember you for that tasty creation, perhaps it may be said that your work was done. Remember, this book isnt just about cooking for yourself; your gift to others may also lie between the pages.

Harry I. Myers

Whether youre a world-class pastry chef or a novice home cook, everybody bakes at one time or another. Even in todays busy world, there are so many pleasures in taking the time to bake at home. For a start, you have better control over your ingredients. Baking at home enables you to use fresh eggs and butter right from your own refrigerator, along with sustainable and local ingredients. There is no need to read a label to see what is in your pumpkin muffins ()you already know each ingredient because you baked them. When you bake your own goodies, you never need to worry about questionable fillers, preservatives, or hidden fats. Allergic reactions are no longer a concern when you can mix your own gluten-free flour or tailor your recipe to specific dietary needs. In fact, your biggest problem will be keeping your freshly baked cookies from being eaten before you can fill the kids lunchboxes.

Another reason that we bake from home is to share the experience with others; to slow down, share stories, and laugh together. Baking with your children or learning cooking secrets from your parents or grandparents enables you to cross generational lines and stay grounded. It is a wonderful experience to discover where your family recipes have come from and which of your relatives created them. Knowing the history of each recipe, you will hold a heightened respect for the baking process, and get even more enjoyment from eating your baked goods. Passing on recipes from one generation to the next maintains a continuum. You have the opportunity to look back into your ancestors kitchens and know that your Italian great, great-grandma made the same Pizza Rustica () for her family every Easter. That connectedness bonds you with your past, and your children with their future, enabling us to feel pride in who we are. A little pride goes a long way, contributing to a strong core to draw upon as you proceed through life. This type of connection instills a positive attitude and pride that you can make something special and creative.

). It is also fun to try your hand at decorating your own creations for special occasions.

Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and holidays bring out wonderful family recipes that are baked with pride, elaborately decorated, and served with love. When my brothers children were young, their Aunt Dee always made them the most stunning birthday cakes, incorporating pop culture icons like Sesame Streets Big Bird or scenes like a gleaming red fire engine. Whatever the child was most interested in for that particular year, Aunt Dee would make a personalized cake to fit the overall party theme. I have always been impressed by her artistic touch in using different colors and textures and the time it took to bake and sculpt the cakes. Today, my niece Christie has carried on her aunts artistic tradition with her own baked goods made lovingly for my great-nephew Damiens parties. Her latest baking sensation, Cake Pops (), are popular nowadays, and were a big hit at Damiens first birthday party.