annieb123
Written on Jul 11, 2020
Celebrate with Baking is a tutorial and resource guide plus recipe collection by Malek Binns. Due out 14th July 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 198 pages (for the print copy) and available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook is available now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
The introduction (indeed the whole book) is written very clearly and covers everything from tools to supplies to "how-to" tutorials and techniques. The recipes are arranged by seasons with holiday recipes for each season grouped with thematically similar items. Not all the recipes are for desserts or cakes, there are a lot of savory choices and dinner breads and rolls included.
The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The book also includes a short author bio and a metric conversion chart, but lacks any index or a general ingredients index. The recipes themselves are varied, and represent a wide variety of holidays and occasions to celebrate. They're tasty and many are simple and easy to prepare, requiring few ingredients and little prep time.
My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are a few photos, and they're beautifully clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book with a positive and upbeat "vibe" and the author's voice is absolutely full of fun! I would love to be able to take a class or three with him as a teacher.
Four stars. I really enjoyed the aesthetic of this book and the author's enthusiasm and expertise.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.