Ebury Press SIFT: The Elements of Great Baking

Nicola Lamb takes you on a learning journey that provides important knowledge about the basic ingredients as well as practical hints and tips that will help you create the most incredible bakes. One of the best ‘baking’ books I have ever owned.

This is not just a recipe book, it's a treasure trove. As a bit of a nerd, the first section of the book with how and why techniques and ingredients work (sugar, yeast, etc) really appeals. The writing is clear and factual but is backed up by helpful diagrams that are also beautiful! The second half of the book is recipes, split into chapters by how long each recipe takes, eg an afternoon or a weekend, or by basic recipes you need in your toolkit. This is a book to be used - you'll want some post-its to flag your pages as there is some flicking back and forth, for example with the rhubarb tart above I needed one page for the tart shell, another for frangipane, etc. I think this is an advantage because although the recipes are accessible for beginners, it means us middling bakers can mix-and-match and customise recipes to suit our tastes. The thing about Nicola's recipes (if you don't subscribe to her newsletter Kitchen Projects, you should), is that they always, always work. I'm never worried about trying one of her recipes before an event because I know it'll work. No need for a practice!

Bought as a gift for my sister. She loves it. It’s simple and clear without over complicating recipies and explains the practicalities of how ingredients work together. Great book for cooks of all capabilities.

un libro muy completo, me gusta mucho

Nicola’s knowledge about baking is amazing and she is incredibly generous about sharing everything. Her recipes are perfection. And I can’t believe we have access to so much gorgeous information in this book. Buy it! You won’t be able to stop baking from it.

It is an amazing book, filled with incredible well written knowledge.