The Art and Science of Dome-Shaped Wood-Fired Ovens, from history to your backyard or commercial shop, is a carefully crafted guide that explains the tradition and science of wood-fired cooking. The book embarks on a historical journey, tracing the development of wood-fired ovens and their cultural significance. It then unravels the theory of heating and the burning behaviour of wood, making complex technical concepts accessible. Transitioning from theory to practice, the guide outlines the design and construction process of a wood-fired oven. It considers engineering aspects and locally available materials, emphasizing efficient, sustainable building. The book discusses essential cooking utensils and tools, shedding light on the entire cooking process, from fire-starting to ash disposal. In a unique chapter on data logging, readers are introduced to modern temperature monitoring techniques. It shows how managing thermal mass can expand the range of recipes beyond the commonly perceived breads and pizzas. Lastly, the book explores Turkish cuisine, debunking preconceptions and presenting a wide array of dishes suitable for wood-fired ovens. The recipes span from traditional Turkish to International cuisines and fusion recipes, equipping readers with the tools to broaden their culinary repertoire. This book serves as an indispensable resource for anyone interested in wood-fired cooking, blending historical context, technical insights, practical advice, and mouth-watering recipes into a compelling narrative. This comprehensive manual aims to bring wood-fired cooking into the heart of modern culinary practice.

"Richard Miscovich’s descriptions and instructions are both practical and inspirationally poetic—dare I say, soulful. He ignites the fire within and compels us to want to know what he knows and to bake as well as he bakes."—Peter Reinhart, author of The Bread Baker’s Apprentice In the last several years, interest in wood-fired ovens has increased dramatically in the United States and abroad, but most books focus on how to bake bread or pizza in an oven. From the Wood-Fired Oven offers many more techniques for home and artisan bakers—from baking bread and making pizza to recipes on how to get as much use as possible out of a single oven firing, from the first live-fire roasting to drying wood for the next fire. From the Wood-Fired Oven offers a new take on traditional techniques for professional bakers, but is simple enough to inspire any nonprofessional baking enthusiast. Leading baker and instructor Richard Miscovich wants people to use their ovens to fulfill the goal of maximum heat utilization. Readers will find methods and techniques for cooking and baking in a wood-fired oven in the order of the appropriate temperature window. What comes first—pizza, or pastry? Roasted vegetables or a braised pork loin? Clarified butter or beef jerky? In addition to an extensive section of delicious formulas for many types of bread, readers will find chapters on: • Making pizza and other live-fire flatbreads; • Roasting fish and meats; • Grilling, steaming, braising, and frying; • Baking pastry and other recipes beyond breads; • Rendering animal fats and clarifying butter; • Food dehydration and infusing oils; • And myriad other ways to use the oven's residual heat. Appendices include oven-design recommendations, a sample oven temperature log, Richard's baker's percentages, proper care of a sourdough starter, and more. . . . From the Wood-Fired Oven is more than a cookbook; it reminds the reader of how a wood-fired oven (and fire, by extension) draws people together and bestows a sense of comfort and fellowship, very real human needs, especially in uncertain times. Indeed, cooking and baking from a wood-fired oven is a basic part of a resilient lifestyle, and a perfect example of valuable traditional skills being put to use in modern times. *Author Richard Miscovich and From the Wood-Fired Oven have been mentioned or featured in the New York Times, Saveur, Bon Appétit, NPR's "The Splendid Table", the Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times

Earth ovens combine the utility of a wood-fired, retained-heat oven with the ease and timeless beauty of earthen construction. Building one will appeal to bakers, builders, and beginners of all kinds, from: - the serious or aspiring baker who wants the best low-cost bread oven, to - gardeners who want a centerpiece for a beautiful outdoor kitchen, to - outdoor chefs, to - creative people interested in low-cost materials and simple technology, to - teachers who want a multi-faceted, experiential project for students of all ages (the book has been successful with everyone from third-graders to adults). Build Your Own Earth Oven is fully illustrated with step-by-step directions, including how to tend the fire, and how to make perfect sourdough hearth loaves in the artisan tradition. The average do-it-yourselfer with a few tools and a scrap pile can build an oven for free, or close to it. Otherwise, $30 should cover all your materials--less than the price of a fancy "baking stone." Good building soil is often right in your back yard, under your feet. Build the simplest oven in a day! With a bit more time and imagination, you can make a permanent foundation and a fire-breathing dragon-oven or any other shape you can dream up. Earth ovens are familiar to many that have seen a southwestern "horno" or a European "bee-hive" oven. The idea, pioneered by Egyptian bakers in the second millennium BCE, is simplicity itself: fill the oven with wood, light a fire, and let it burn down to ashes. The dense, 3- to 12-inch-thick earthen walls hold and store the heat of the fire, the baker sweeps the floor clean, and the hot oven walls radiate steady, intense heat for hours. Home bakers who can't afford a fancy, steam-injected bread oven will be delighted to find that a simple earth oven can produce loaves to equal the fanciest "artisan" bakery. It also makes delicious roast meats, cakes, pies, pizzas, and other creations. Pizza cooks to perfection in three minutes or less. Vegetables, herbs, and potatoes drizzled with olive oil roast up in minutes for a simple, elegant, and delicious meal. Efficient cooks will find the residual heat useful for slow-baked dishes, and even for drying surplus produce, or incubating homemade yogurt.

Cooking food is one of the activities that makes humanity unique. It’s not just about what tastes good: advances in cooking technology have been a constant part of our progress, from the ability to control fire to the emergence of agriculture to modern science’s understanding of what happens at a molecular level when we apply heat to food. Mastering new ways of feeding ourselves has resulted in leaps in longevity and explosions in population—and the potential of cooking science is still largely untapped. In Cook, Taste, Learn, the food scientist and best-selling author Guy Crosby offers a lively tour of the history and science behind the art of cooking, with a focus on achieving a healthy daily diet. He traces the evolution of cooking from its earliest origins, recounting the innovations that have unraveled the mysteries of health and taste. Crosby explains why both home cooks and professional chefs should learn how to apply cooking science, arguing that we can improve the nutritional quality and gastronomic delight of everyday eating. Science-driven changes in the way we cook can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and enhance our quality of life. The book features accessible explanations of complex topics as well as a selection of recipes that illustrate scientific principles. Cook, Taste, Learn reveals the possibilities for transforming cooking from a craft into the perfect blend of art and science.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of traditional baking with "Embers & Loaves," your transformative guide to the time-honored art of wood-fired bread baking. Whether you’re a seasoned baker seeking a deeper connection with your craft or a newcomer with a passion for authenticity, this comprehensive exploration beckons you to stoke the fires of mastery. Embark on a satisfying journey that illuminates The Essence of Wood-Fired Baking, where the allure of crackling flames and the warm glow of the hearth awaits. Discover the rich History and Tradition of Wood-Fired Ovens, and delve into the resounding appeal of a perfectly baked loaf, where the wood's essence becomes an intrinsic part of the flavor profile. Master the Fundamentals of Wood as Fuel, translating the raw energy of nature into the ultimate crackling crust and pillowy crumb. Navigate the detailed Anatomy of a Wood-Fired Oven, acquiring knowledge of their structure and design, gaining insights on optimized heat retention, and unraveling the role of the oven door and hearth in your baking triumphs. Master the intricate Science of Wood-Fired Bread Baking, from the dynamic dance of heat to the Maillard Reaction that paints each loaf with its golden hue. Prepare to engage with artisanal heritage as you explore beloved classics from the tangy depths of Sourdough to the robust tradition of Rye, and the airy temptation of Ciabatta. Seamlessly leads you toward refining your skills with the hands-on creation and handling of dough, proofing strategies, and artistic scoring techniques. Envision elevating your flavors using the delicate dance of Smoke, where you'll learn to balance this ingredient just as skillfully as salt or yeast. "Embers & Loaves" guides you through Cooling, Storing, and Serving with the same care and attention required for the bake itself, ensuring your wood-fired creations captivate the senses from crust to crumb. Address Baking Issues with confidence as you diagnose and troubleshoot with a seasoned eye, turning potential pitfalls into stepping stones for baking prowess. Beyond the oven, nurtures your passion into community and tradition, inspiring you to Build a Wood-Fired Bread Community and explore Sustainable Practices that ensure the flame of this ancient craft burns brightly into the future. Within lies not just recipes or methods, but a manifesto for all who dream of embracing a more profound artisanal expression in every loaf they bake. Kindle your culinary imagination, harness the primal force of fire, and surrender to the transformation that awaits with "Embers & Loaves," where the ashes of tradition fuel the flavorful future of wood-fired artisanal bread.

In the past twenty years, interest in wood-fired ovens has increased dramatically in the United States and abroad, but most books focus on how to bake bread or pizza in an oven. From the Wood-Fired Oven offers many more techniques for home and artisan bakers--from baking bread and making pizza to recipes on how to get as much use as possible out of a single oven firing, from the first live-fire roasting to drying wood for the next fire. From the Wood-Fired Oven offers a new take on traditional techniques for professional bakers, but is simple enough to inspire any nonprofessional baking enthusiast. Leading baker and instructor Richard Miscovich wants people to use their ovens to fulfill the goal of maximum heat utilization. Readers will find methods and techniques for cooking and baking in a wood-fired oven in the order of the appropriate temperature window. What comes first--pizza, or pastry? Roasted vegetables or a braised pork loin? Clarified butter or beef jerky? In addition to an extensive section of delicious formulas for many types of bread, readers will find chapters on: - Making pizza and other live-fire flatbreads; - Roasting fish and meats; - Grilling, steaming, braising, and frying; - Baking pastry and other recipes beyond breads; - Rendering animal fats and clarifying butter; - Food dehydration and infusing oils; - And myriad other ways to use the oven's residual heat. Appendices include oven-design recommendations, a sample oven temperature log, Richard's baker's percentages, proper care of a sourdough starter, and more. . . . From the Wood Fired Oven is more than a cookbook; it reminds the reader of how a wood-fired oven (and fire, by extension) draws people together and bestows a sense of comfort and fellowship, very real human needs, especially in uncertain times. Indeed, cooking and baking from a wood-fired oven is a basic part of a resilient lifestyle, and a perfect example of valuable traditional skills being put to use in modern times.

'Master the art of sourdough with Vanessa and you will learn how to look after your own gut microbes and health.' - Tim Spector, author of The Diet Myth At her renowned Sourdough School, Vanessa has taught countless students the secrets of this healthy, more easily digestible bread, and now she has compiled her teachings for the home baker. From creating your own starter from scratch, you'll then move on to basic breadmaking techniques, before progressing to using sprouted grains and experimenting with flavours to produce Fig and Earl Grey and Cherry Plum loaves. With step-by-step photography, detailed instructions, specialist advice and Vanessa's indispensable encouragement, The Sourdough School celebrates the timeless craft of artisan baking.