"In this book, I'm embarking on a different path,
focusing on finding recipes that preserve the tastes and
memories of a long-departed place."
—
Greg Patent
A Baker's Odyssey is a rich collection of
recipes and culinary history, all gleaned from Patent's
exhaustive research in the American home kitchens of
immigrants from around the world. Through his travels
across the country, Patent learned the secrets to
traditional baked goods originating from thirty-two
different nations. From Scotland and Austria to India
and Thailand to Mexico, Norway, and West Africa, the
recipes represent the best of each culture's beloved
culinary traditions. Chapters are organized by
categories of baked goods, and include Fried Pastries
and Doughs, Flatbreads and More, Savory Pastries, Sweet
Pastries, Savory Yeast Breads and Pies, Sweet Yeast
Breads, Cookies and Cookie-Like Pastries, and Dessert
Cakes, Tortes, and Pies. Patent provides detailed
information on the origin of each recipe and its
ingredients, and gives a real sense of the cultural
heritage behind each dish. Recipes are easy enough for
home cooks of any level to master, and include
everything from Jewish Matzoh, Eastern European Rugelach,
and Sweet Irish Soda Bread to Russian Meat Piroshki,
Italian Pignoli Cookies, and Chinese-Style Almond Sponge
Cake. The book is accompanied by an hour-long DVD in
which Patent provides hands-on instruction in making
Strudel, Pretzels, Cannoli, Kransakake, and much more.
