Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Beautiful Bread is a stunning collection of recipes and tutorials for instagram-perfect baked goods (mostly focaccia) by Theresa Culletto. Released 10th Oct 2023 by Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is an inspirational guide to creating beautifully styled breads. The designs are mostly floral/botanical in nature and they're all fully edible. Detailing is created by the use of edible flowers, spices, herbs, and vegetables (see cover).
The book's introduction covers tools, ingredients, and supplies, followed by basic focaccia recipes. The following inspiration/tutorial chapters are grouped roughly thematically: flowers, artist inspired (including a jaw-dropping reinterpretation of van Gogh's Irises), nature inspired, and holiday recipes/bakes.
Recipe ingredients are listed in a bullet sidebar for each bread, followed by step-by-step instructions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units only. Necessary supplies will be available at any well stocked grocery store in most of North America. Access to a wide variety of edible flowers, fresh herbs, and spices will be necessary for many of them.
Although it's undoubtedly a niche genre, making really beautiful and wholesome focaccia for special occasions and for gift giving, the extra love and consideration in these breads will provide both satisfaction to the baker -and- to the recipients. And they are, all of them, absolutely instagram worthy.
Four stars, this would be a great choice for public and/or school library acquisition, for gifting to cookbook collecting friends, and for home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 23 October, 2023: Started reading
- 23 October, 2023: Finished reading
- 23 October, 2023: Reviewed