The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking

As an atheist I was wary of this book, but I actually enjoyed reading Curry's stories and Jesuit histories. The recipies are fantastic - well written and all have been successful so far. The only complaint I have is that the font in the recipies is too small, especially the fractions! Great book, great author.

I bought the companion book, "The Secrets of Jesuit Soupmaking: A Year of Our Soups" and was really knocked out by the tone and style of that book. So, naturally I tried "The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking" and I found it to be the perfect complement to the former title. There is something decidedly refrshing about a book that combines the concepts of faith and baking. Anybody who's spent a day in the kitchen making bread from scratch will attest that it can be a somewhat spiritual event. If bread is the staff of life, then "The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking" is a superb introduction to the art. Highly recommended.

This book is modest in cover, quality of paper and method of baking but it has the best practical recipes for baking that I have come across. It does not excessively embellish nor waste the reader/baker's time.My copy is marred with the stains of various flours, doughs, and oils from all the baking that I do from this book. I am pleased to say that the book shows a greater love than all my glossier books that sit on the shelf and are simply food porn (nice pictures but substance lacking).

This is an excellent resource for those interested in learning about bread. Brother Curry is a natural teacher and does an excellent job of explaining the pitfalls and joys of each step of making bread. The recipes are hearty and delicious. There are many examples of breads from Jesuit brothers from around the world. Secrets of Jesuit Bread Making will be an instant success for anyone who is interested in the spiritual side as well as the art of bread making.

I always had trouble with yeast breads. Brother Curry gave me the inspiration and help I needed to make mouth-watering bread easily. His anecdotes to each recipe made this the first cookbook I ever read from cover to cover.