Today, I review the newly-published cookbook, Breakfast Breads and Sweet Treats by the Bread Monk — Father Dominic Garramone (Reedy Press, 2022 – $35). I am grateful to Reedy Press for sending me a review copy.
Father Dominic and I sat down for a video chat the other evening, and it gave me a chance to find out what makes him tick in the kitchen. For those of you who don’t know him, he had a PBS show (The Bread Monk) for several seasons beginning in 1999. I had no television then, so never had the opportunity to watch him in action. However, through our recent conversation that evening, I got a sense of his passion and inspiration, and the goodness he spreads through his recipes and to his community.
Born in Peoria, Illinois, Father Dominic majored in Theater, combining his dramatic passion with his seminary studies in his last two years of his undergraduate studies, prior to entering seminary. He has now been teaching drama to high school students for 38 years — ever since joining the monastery. Father Dom seems to come by his talent for baking naturally. Both his grandmothers were bakers; his paternal grandmother was known for her cinnamon rolls (you can find the recipe in Father Dominic’s Baking Your Way Through the Holidays, Reedy Press) and his maternal grandmother for her Irish soda bread. In 1963, his mother became obsessed with bread baking and, when she passed, he and his siblings packed eight Xerox boxes of bread books alone. Father Dominic definitely thinks of himself as a baker and not a cook, though he says he makes great soups, stews, and casseroles.
Father Dominic points out that bread is a central image in many religions: the Last Supper; the unleavened bread of Passover; and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Speaking of multiplication, his mother used baking to teach her children math and fractions — a brilliant concept! He speaks of the words company and companion, from the Latin cum panum — with bread —and how when we have a loaf of bread, it is meant to be shared. And share his bread he does. He takes loaves (or cookies and pastries) to the ICU nurses, fire stations, police stations, and to other first responders. He takes them to the sick, the lonely, and sometimes just fills his backpack with small loaves to share with those he meets on the street. True random acts of kindness — and baking.
On to the book! I enjoyed the book very much. The thing I liked most is that there is no pretense in the recipes or his manner of presenting them. They are simple, straightforward, well-tested, and completely doable. None of the recipes is difficult or daunting, yet they are all very special and enticing. The book is divided into nine sections: Breakfast Basics; Baking Mix; Quick, Easy & Unique; Pastries; Scones; Yeasted Breads; Cookies & Bars; Candy Shop; and Toppings & Spreads. The recipes are nicely photographed by Father Dom himself, and they make me want to bake and eat each and every one.
What is his favorite recipe in the book? Like a parent, he isn’t supposed to have a favorite but he does — the banana coconut cookies. They are his students’ favorite as well.
One thing I noticed about the recipes is that the number of servings, while embedded in each recipe, is not clearly stated at the end of each recipe. No big deal for anyone who bakes, right? If you cut the puff pastry into nine pieces, nine portions you will have.
I had a hard time deciding what recipe I would make for this post. My very first thought was his rough puff pastry. I love puff pastry and his is so easy. It comes with the high praise from his colleague, Brother Nathaniel, who has family in France, and states, “It’s as good as anything I’ve had in Paris.” And he is not able to lie. To use that to make his Puff Pastry Almond Squares? Divine! But then I saw his recipes for Buttery Flaky Biscuits and Sausage Gravy. Boy, did that appeal! He suggested a twist on biscuits and gravy using his Tomato Basil Scones with an Italian sausage gravy. That didn’t help my decision process at all. (I’m very easily swayed.)
In the end, any of the recipes within would be have been good to share, but I chose to make the raisin bread. By doing so, I can use one loaf here at home, and then — inspired by his example — give two away to vendors at the my local farmers market, because random acts of baking can really make a difference.
~ David
Recipe by Father Dominic Garramone, The Bread Monk.
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Chef Mimi
September 24, 2022 at 6:47 amthe bread is beautiful. I think I would like this guy. I quit buying bread books because the last one was so crazily scientific over the top nuts. I get the science in cooking in baking, but I can bake yeasted bread in my sleep. It’s not hard, and it shouldn’t be presented as only a science experiment. It’s fun and a way to be creative. Like what this guy does!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 8:57 pmI agree 100%, Mimi — science in baking is really important but so are intuition and touch, which is the way I prefer.
Ron
September 24, 2022 at 6:52 amAh, homemade raisin bread toast slathered with butter, my kind of treat morning or anytime.
David, you’ve written an excellent review for Father Dominic’s new cookery book. How lucky to be able to chat and get to know him prior to your review. I must warn you random gifts of baked good is an addictive pleasure. I love giving to neighbors and lately we enjoy sharing with the four refugee families from Ukraine living down the road. But, I’ve never thought of gifting baked goods to the workers at our market square. A lovely idea…
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 8:59 pmAnd that is exactly how we ate our loaf of raisin bread, Ron!
I really enjoyed making these loaves and sharing them with my friends at the farmers market. Our farmers/ranchers work so hard and give so much to us, that it seems only fair we should give something back.
John / Kitchen Riffs
September 24, 2022 at 8:32 amI haven’t had raisin bread in several years, and of course I”m now craving it. Gorgeous loaf! Sounds like a really interesting book, too. I’ve not heard of the author (I’ve sworn off watching most TV because it’s such a time sink, although I do watch some movies), but that’s my loss. I need to get acquainted with his baking idea. Thanks!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 9:00 pmMark and I are with you, John, and that we never watch television but to watch movies (quite often). I think you would like Father Dominic — a man who bakes with a passion and has some great ideas.
Colette
September 24, 2022 at 10:21 amI just LOVE homemade bread, but need to work on improving my impatience, if I want to try this gorgeous raisin bread! xo
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 9:01 pmI am sure that you, more than many, have plenty of patience for this Colette! And it’s worth any patience tendered when you have that beautiful loaf of bread in front of you!
Sherry M
September 24, 2022 at 9:37 pmokay don’t get mad david 🙂 but i really dislike cup measurements. Sorry to be so blunt. I spend so much of my time deciphering measurements cos Aussie and Kiwi and UK and US measurements are all different… Anyways – this bread sounds wonderful and the generosity behind it is also marvellous. Cheers! Ignore my grumps ! I just seem to be in a grumpy mood today!!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 9:04 pmMad? Never! I completely understand why you don’t like the usage of cups. It was until I started blogging that I realized how volatile the subject is. So many people in the United States use cup measures, and they work in many cases. When baking bread, the size of the cup almost doesn’t matter as you need to make sure the deal was just at that perfect moment of flour, yeast, and water. I’m often criticized because I use dry cup measures for liquid. I’m going to food writer hell!
Jeff the Chef
September 25, 2022 at 7:48 amWhat a cool opportunity to get to meet Father Dom. And thanks for sharing his raisin bread recipe.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 9:04 pmOf course, Jeff — and it was fun chatting with him!
Ronit
September 25, 2022 at 2:44 pmSuch an interesting story! The book and the bread look so good. I’m adding it to my “to make soon” list. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
September 25, 2022 at 9:06 pmAutumn is the perfect time to start making bread again, isn’t it? I hope you get a chance to make this bread and enjoy it, Ronit!
Valentina
September 26, 2022 at 6:38 pmToasted raisin bread with butter is the best treat! This recipe looks deliciously airy and light. So great you had the chance to meet and speak with Father Dominic. He sounds like a really great person (and baker)! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
September 29, 2022 at 3:57 amHe is a really wonderful guy — I enjoyed him so much!
2pots2cook
September 28, 2022 at 12:27 amThank you so much. Must get this book!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 29, 2022 at 4:01 amReally nice recipes, Davorka — thanks!
angiesrecipes
September 28, 2022 at 10:37 amThe bread looks absolutely fantastic with perfect crumb and crust. The cookbook is for sure a keeper.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 29, 2022 at 4:05 amThanks, Angie — I know we enjoyed the bread and I can’t wait to hear how my market friends liked it! I’m really enjoying this cookbook!
Raymund
October 5, 2022 at 5:11 pmThat bread looks really good, long time since I made them.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 6, 2022 at 5:25 amThanks, Raymund!
John
October 8, 2022 at 7:59 amWhat would the world be without bread? This sounds like an interesting book filled with some lovely recipes. What a wonderful chance to have met and chatted with Father Dominic.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 1:05 amIt was really fun chatting with him. And, as they say, bread is life. Love the stuff!
Paula
October 30, 2022 at 11:51 pmI haven’t baked bread in ages! And I haven’t eaten raisin bread in I don’t know how long. The bread looks perfect and tempting. And now I want the banana coconut cookies too lol.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2022 at 2:16 pmIt’s been a long time since I’ve had raisin bread, too, and I absolutely loved it! Lots of fun recipes in the book!
Marcelle
November 14, 2022 at 3:56 pmRaisin bread looks amazing!! Sounds like a slice would gonicel y with a smear of butter and my morning coffee, for sure! I love cook books that aren’t full of pretense and crazy complicated recipes too. We live on quick breads in my house, I bet I could find a recipe or two to enjoy in those pages as well!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 19, 2022 at 10:32 amI know you would find really nice recipes here – none too hard!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
November 15, 2022 at 9:15 amDavid, somehow I missed this beautiful post. AND I somehow missed the PBS show “The Bread Monk”—which I don’t understand at all because I used to watch all the PBS cooking shows. Thanks for the introduction. I’ll definitely be looking for this book.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 19, 2022 at 10:38 amYou know, Jean – I wonder if I missed it not because I didn’t have a television but because my local PBS station didn’t carry it.