The Sourdough Alchemist


Book Description

Welcome to "The Sourdough Alchemist," an enchanting journey into the heart of fermentation that will transform your baking into an art of flavor, texture, and delight. If you dream of crafting exquisite desserts with the complex tastes only sourdough can provide, this is your grimoire where ancient methods and modern twists converge to create magic in your kitchen. Delve deep into the alchemical mysteries with the first chapter, unraveling the secrets behind a perfect sourdough starter. Learn the age-old science of fermentation and become the caretaker of your very own bubbling brew. Embrace the challenges and rewards as you troubleshoot common concerns and nurture your sourdough to peak vitality. Progress to outfitting your wizardry workshop with the essential tools and ingredients necessary to embark on an epicurean adventure full of sourdough desserts. From choosing the right flour to appreciating the nuances they bring to your sweet creations, you're well on your way to mastering the basics and beyond. Transform the ordinary into the extraordinary with recipes that breathe life into your sourdough starter – cakes, pastries, and buns infused with rich, naturally fermented flavors. Imagine a chocolate cake suffused with a deeper, tangy profile, or a vanilla pound cake that tantalizes with an unexpected twist. Crispy, flaky croissants and danishes are merely the intriguing beginning of a chapter that layers flavors with exceptional skill. But it doesn't end there. Venture into the world of pies and tarts with crusts that shatter convention, stand proudly among the ranks of bakers delivering enriched breads like brioche and panettone blessed with the gift of fermentation, and experiment with the surprisingly versatile nature of sourdough in cookies and quick breads. True alchemists know no bounds. Unleash your creativity through explorations in the art of sourdough candies, gluten-free treasures, and desserts tailored for every dietary need. Discover sourdough's globe-trotting versatility with treats from world cultures, and unveil the secrets to pairing your desserts with the perfect beverage to complement their refined sour notes. Prepare for the grand finale as your journey culminates in mastery of the dynamics between leavening, taste, and beauty. Unlock the potential of your home bakery as you learn to schedule, market, and even teach the magic of sourdough sweets. "The Sourdough Alchemist" is your invitiation to a realm where every page turned brings you closer to transforming simple ingredients into culinary gold. Welcome to the alchemy of sourdough, where every recipe becomes an exploration, every bite a revelation, and every creation a true delight. Your path to becoming a master sourdough dessert alchemist begins here.




The Gluten-Free Sourdough Alchemist


Book Description

Unlock the Mysteries of Gluten-Free Sourdough – The Alchemy Awaits! Delve into the enchanting world of sourdough transformation with "The Gluten-Free Sourdough Alchemist," your ultimate guide to mastering the art of crafting the perfect loaf without a speck of gluten in sight. Embark on an epicurean adventure that unravels the secrets of one of the baking world's most profound mysteries how to create sumptuously soft, delectably tangy gluten-free sourdough bread. Whether you're gluten-intolerant or a culinary explorer eager to venture beyond the realms of traditional bread-making, this compendium is your gateway to becoming a connoisseur of the gluten-free sourdough universe. Our journey begins with a foray into the heart of what makes sourdough a phenomenon. Explore the depths of fermentation, engage with the nutritional symphony of gluten-free flours, and confront the challenges head-on. From establishing your vivacious gluten-free starter to finessing flour blends that harmonize flavor and nutrition, every step is a step towards gluten-free glory. Learn the delicate art of hydration – the cornerstone of sourdough alchemy – and its fascinating influence on dough development, tackling altitude and humidity like an elemental whisperer. Unleash your hands' potential in mixing and autolysis, discovering the finesse in creating structure in a dough unbound by gluten. As your knowledge deepens, so too will your mastery over shaping, proofing, and the all-important scoring and baking processes. Bask in the golden glow of a perfectly orchestrated bake, and as your bread cools on the wire racks, immerse yourself in the art of storage, ensuring every slice remains as enchanting as when it first emerged from the oven. Expand your horizons with classic loaves, rustic boules, and the zen of sourdough baguettes. Infuse your bread with an array of herbs, spices, nuts, and fruits – each recipe is a canvas upon which your culinary creativity can roam free. Tackle common issues with confidence and join an expanded world of gluten-free sourdough bread-making, rich in tradition and ripe for innovation. "The Gluten-Free Sourdough Alchemist" is more than a guide; it's an invitation to join a community passionately dedicated to the magic of gluten-free sourdough. Your adventure into the alchemy of taste and texture begins now. Are you ready to turn the everyday into the extraordinary? Let "The Gluten-Free Sourdough Alchemist" be the catalyst to your transformation.




The Alchemist of Brushstrokes and Brimstone


Book Description

A stolen masterpiece. A brilliant woman written out of history. And a recipe for a lost color worth killing for. In the spellbinding eighth installment of the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries, centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust and living gargoyle Dorian Robert-Houdin face their most colorful case yet! Zoe’s hard-won peaceful life is shattered when a devious thief targets her most prized possession—a vibrant portrait that’s her last connection to her long-dead brother. It’s a painting that also holds the secrets of a forgotten artist who created recipes for the most breathtaking colors ever seen. When the canvas disappears and murder follows, Zoe must unravel a palette of deadly puzzles. With her quick-witted sidekick Dorian and their eclectic group of friends, Zoe races to catch a killer, evade a secret society, and recover her beloved painting. But the quest is bigger than solving a present-day crime. Can Zoe finally set the historical record straight for a gifted painter erased from the history of art? Bursting with vivid characters, fascinating history, and touches of whimsical magic and culinary alchemy, The Alchemist of Brushstrokes and Brimstone is a cozy fantasy mystery that will leave you breathlessly turning pages until the final stroke.




Bread Baking for Beginners


Book Description

"Discover how anyone can combine flour, yeast, water, and salt to create hot and delicious bread in the comfort of your own kitchen. Filled with straightforward guidance, Bread Baking for Beginners is the ideal bread cookbook for new bakers. Complete with step-by-step photographs and instructions, this beautiful bread baking guide offers a tasty collection of recipes for kneaded, no-knead, and enriched breads. In addition to important info on everything from prep and proof times to key terminology and kitchen essentials, you'll also get must-have tips for troubleshooting bread baking issues."--Amazon.com




Newton the Alchemist


Book Description

A book that finally demystifies Newton’s experiments in alchemy When Isaac Newton’s alchemical papers surfaced at a Sotheby’s auction in 1936, the quantity and seeming incoherence of the manuscripts were shocking. No longer the exemplar of Enlightenment rationality, the legendary physicist suddenly became “the last of the magicians.” Newton the Alchemist unlocks the secrets of Newton’s alchemical quest, providing a radically new understanding of the uncommon genius who probed nature at its deepest levels in pursuit of empirical knowledge. In this evocative and superbly written book, William Newman blends in-depth analysis of newly available texts with laboratory replications of Newton’s actual experiments in alchemy. He does not justify Newton’s alchemical research as part of a religious search for God in the physical world, nor does he argue that Newton studied alchemy to learn about gravitational attraction. Newman traces the evolution of Newton’s alchemical ideas and practices over a span of more than three decades, showing how they proved fruitful in diverse scientific fields. A precise experimenter in the realm of “chymistry,” Newton put the riddles of alchemy to the test in his lab. He also used ideas drawn from the alchemical texts to great effect in his optical experimentation. In his hands, alchemy was a tool for attaining the material benefits associated with the philosopher’s stone and an instrument for acquiring scientific knowledge of the most sophisticated kind. Newton the Alchemist provides rare insights into a man who was neither Enlightenment rationalist nor irrational magus, but rather an alchemist who sought through experiment and empiricism to alter nature at its very heart.




Bread


Book Description

When Bread was first published in 2004, it received the Julia Child Award for best First Book from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and became an instant classic. Hailed as a "masterwork of bread baking literature," Jeffrey Hamelman's Bread features over 130 detailed, step-by-step formulas for dozens of versatile rye- and wheat-based sourdough breads, numerous breads made with yeasted pre-ferments, simple straight dough loaves, and dozens of variations. In addition, an International Contributors section is included, which highlights unique specialties by esteemed bakers from five continents. In this third edition of Bread, professional bakers, home bakers, and baking students will discover a diverse collection of flavors, tastes, and textures, hundreds of drawings that vividly illustrate techniques, and evocative photographs of finished and decorative breads.




The Alchemist's Illusion


Book Description

The Anthony Award-winning fourth book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series by USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian. A perilous painting leads Zoe Faust and Dorian Robert-Houdin on an alchemical adventure in Portland, Oregon, in search of Zoe's missing mentor—Nicolas Flamel. Centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust is tired of running from her past. She’s finally got her life on track in Portland, Oregon, gardening and cooking in her fixer-upper house with her mischievous best friend, Dorian, the gargoyle chef. It seems like the perfect life for Zoe—until she discovers that Nicolas Flamel is missing. A mystery from 16th Century Prague may hold the key. Can Zoe find the art forger who holds the secret of what has become of her missing mentor? Includes recipes! Praise Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original Shortlisted for the G.P. Putnam's Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award "The Alchemist’s Illusion is filled with beauty... Pandian paints a lovely picture of relationships throughout the book's mystery of greed and violence." —New York Journal of Books "Surprising plot twists, several cliffhangers, and vivid magical imagery will keep fans of paranormal cozies turning the pages." —Publishers Weekly "Sparkles most when it stays true to the wonder of its magical subject." —Foreword Reviews




Sourdough


Book Description

101 recipes for baking with whole and sprouted grains, making the most of the seasonal harvest, and healing the body through naturally fermented food Sarah Owens spent years baking conventional baked goods, only to slowly realize she had developed a crippling inability to digest or tolerate their ingredients. Unable to enjoy many of her most favorite foods, she knew she must find a health-sustaining alternative. Thus Sarah started experimenting with sourdough leavening, which almost immediately began to heal her gut and inspire her anew in the kitchen. Soon after, her artisan small-batch bakery, BK17, was launched, and with that, a new way to savor and share nutritious sourdough breads and treats with her Brooklyn community. Sourdough and other fermented foods are making a comeback because of their rich depth of flavor and proven health benefits. In Sourdough, Sarah demystifies keeping a sourdough culture, which is an extended fermentation process that allows for maximum flavor and easy digestion, showing us just how simple it can be to create a healthy starter from scratch. Moreover, Sarah uses home-grown sourdough starter in dozens of baked goods, including cookies, cakes, scones, flatbreads, tarts, and more--well beyond bread. Sarah is a botanist and gardener as well as a baker--her original recipes are accented with brief natural history notes of the highlighted plants and ingredients used therein. Anecdotes from the garden will delight naturalists and baked-goods lovers among us. Laced with botanical and cultural notes on grains, fruits and vegetables, herbs, and even weeds, Sourdough celebrates seasonal abundance alongside the timeless craft of artisan baking. A James Beard Award Winner for Baking & Desserts




The Alchemist of Fire and Fortune


Book Description

The fifth book in the award-winning Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series by USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian. A blackmailer obsessed with gold. A boyfriend who’s more than he seems. And a treasure hidden on the Oregon coast. Alchemist Zoe Faust’s mentor Nicolas Flamel is back in her life, but catching up with him will have to wait. An elusive blackmailer has threatened to expose a dangerous alchemical secret. Zoe’s boyfriend is out of town protecting secrets of his own. So when rumors of a treasure map reach Zoe, she turns her back on what sounds like no more than a game. Zoe’s mischievous living gargoyle best friend Dorian, who thinks of himself as a modern-day Poirot, is convinced the map is real—and that it’s the key to proving himself as valuable to Zoe as her human family. With the help of the neighborhood teenagers, Dorian sets out to find the treasure, risking more than he planned in the process. Rumors, treasures, and secrets intersect to unearth more than Zoe could have dreamed—and could leave her family changed forever. Can Zoe stop the threat to the family unit she’s created?




Koji Alchemy


Book Description

Koji Alchemy guides readers through the history and diverse application of koji, the microbe behind the delicious, umami flavors of soy sauce, miso, mirin, and so much more. Devoted authors Jeremy Umansky and Rich Shih share processes, concepts, and recipes for fermenting and culturing foods with this magical ingredient. Then they take it to the next level by describing how they rapidly age charcuterie, cheese, and other ferments, revolutionizing the creation of fermented foods and their flavor profiles for both chefs and home cooks. Readers will learn how to grow koji, including information on equipment and setting up your kitchen, as well as detailed concepts and processes for making amino sauces and pastes, alcohol and vinegar, and using it for flavor enhancement with dairy, eggs, vegetables, and baking. With the added tips and expertise from their friends, Umansky and Shih have developed a comprehensive look at modern koji use around the world.




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