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Breaking Breads: A New World of Israeli Baking--Flatbreads, Stuffed Breads, Challahs, Cookies, and the Legendary Chocolate Babka Kindle Edition


Named one of the Best Cookbooks of the Year by Food & Wine, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, The Washington Post, and more
 

Israeli baking encompasses the influences of so many regions—Morocco, Yemen, Germany, and Georgia, to name a few—and master baker Uri Scheft seamlessly marries all of these in his incredible baked goods at his Breads Bakery in New York City and Lehamim Bakery in Tel Aviv. Nutella-filled babkas, potato and shakshuka focaccia, and chocolate rugelach are pulled out of the ovens several times an hour for waiting crowds. In
Breaking Breads, Scheft takes the combined influences of his Scandinavian heritage, his European pastry training, and his Israeli and New York City homes to provide sweet and savory baking recipes that cover European, Israeli, and Middle Eastern favorites. Scheft sheds new light on classics like challah, babka, and ciabatta—and provides his creative twists on them as well, showing how bakers can do the same at home—and introduces his take on Middle Eastern daily breads like kubaneh and jachnun. The instructions are detailed and the photos explanatory so that anyone can make Scheft’s Poppy Seed Hamantaschen, Cheese Bourekas, and Jerusalem Bagels, among other recipes. With several key dough recipes and hundreds of Israeli-, Middle Eastern–, Eastern European–, Scandinavian-, and Mediterranean-influenced recipes, this is truly a global baking bible.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“From babka to breadsticks, Breaking Breads is a definitive guide.”
Food Wine, The Best Cookbooks for 2016

“A delight to contemplate, offering up utterly creative and beautiful challahs, babkas, rugelach, burekas, and pita, with a small array of savory dips, salads, and condiments at the end. It’s baker porn.”
—The Boston Globe, The Season’s Best Cookbooks

“Uri Scheft’s new cookbook falls midway between two trends—Old World baking and Israeli cuisine—and the results are deeply satisfying. . . . Scheft’s recipes are fairly simple for a baking book, without the torturously long instructions many traditional methods can include. And there are plenty of sidebars, with tips.”
Los Angeles Times, Our Favorite Cookbooks of Fall 2016

“Stunning. . . . Scheft, the force behind Lehamim Bakery in Tel Aviv and Breads Bakery in New York, has contributed mightily to the canon of bread-focused books not only for his wizard use of Middle Eastern ingredients but also for helping to create such stunning process and technique photography.”
The Washington Post, The Best Cookbooks of 2016
 
“[Scheft’s] generously portioned recipes for basic doughs (e.g., challah, babka, brioche, flatbreads) lend themselves to endless variation, and general home bakers can use them to produce both simple rolls and dramatic, festive loaves. [The book] explains the dough’s look and feel during all stages of preparation and includes plenty of step-by-step photographs to illustrate more challenging braiding, coiling, and other shaping techniques. . . . An essential modern Middle Eastern baking collection featuring delights such as shakshuka focaccia and chocolate rugelach.”
Library Journal, starred review
 
“No matter your heritage, this collection will expand your horizons.”
—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“This beautiful book . . . provides a thorough look into the many influences that have shaped the world of Israeli baking . . . full of enough details and photos to encourage even a novice baker to bake.”
—Haaretz.com
 
“Drawing from his Israeli heritage, childhood love of fresh breads, and global travels, Uri makes the international classics . . . and lesser-known European, Israeli, and Middle Eastern Breads . . . accessible for the home baker. . . . This cookbook is truly a bread baker’s guide to Europe and the Middle East.”
Bake from Scratch magazine
 
“A bold and beautiful collection of updated classics and playful riffs.”
The Forward
 
“To sample Scheft’s chocolate babka is at once a blessing and a curse: It’ll become an obsession. But thanks to [
Breaking Breads] you can make it at home—with the help of step-by-step photograph instructions that ensure babka success.”
—TastingTable.com

“Uri Scheft is the quintessential Israeli baker. His breads, pastries, and babkas have been blowing my mind
since I first ate them on the sidewalk of his bakery in Tel Aviv. This is the book that I have been yearning to
read."
—Michael Solomonov, author and chef/owner of Zahav

"Uri Scheft's reader-friendly instructions, gleaned from a lifetime of baking, lead would-be bakers into the kitchen. I love this book."
—Joan Nathan, author of King Solomon's Table

“I've been waiting for Uri to reveal the secrets to his incredible babka and chocolate rugelach. He finally reveals them and more in
Breaking Breads, which melds Middle Eastern flavors with modern tastes. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and baking my way through his groundbreaking book.”
—David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen

“The ultimate modern guide to the world of global Jewish and Middle Eastern baking. Master baker Uri Scheft shares his craft and knowledge of craveable savory and sweet baked goods, inviting you to make them in your own home.”
—Lior Lev Sercarz, author and owner of La Boîte

"From challah to kubaneh, burekas to pita, this is the most definitive and important book on Israeli breads and baking."
—Einat Admony, author and chef/owner of Taïm and Balaboosta

About the Author

Uri Scheft is the creative force and co-owner of Breads Bakery in New York City, which gained an immediate cult following when it opened in 2014. Scheft also owns Tel Aviv’s Lehamim Bakery, which has been in operation since 2001. Born in Israel to Danish parents, Scheft grew up in both Israel and Denmark and now divides his time between Israel and the United States.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01BEGV5SY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Artisan (October 18, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 18, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 35875 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 476 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
296 global ratings

Customers say

Customers say the recipes are great and easy to understand. They also appreciate the beautiful photos and content that is good for learning.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

34 customers mention "Recipe quality"27 positive7 negative

Customers find the recipes in the book great, helpful, and accessible. They also say the book makes Israeli baking so accessible and tastes good.

"...This is by no means a quick and easy recipe book, but the recipes are very clear, the steps are easy to follow and there are some tips on working..." Read more

"...of the recipes, and all of them are just so easy and uses ingredients that most home bakers would have in their pantry...." Read more

"...I love turning the pages and well, that's me. The recipes are plentiful and explanatory. Love this book!" Read more

"...a few more recipes, the photos are gorgeous and they are new and interesting recipes - but I feel the recipes were not properly vetted for the home..." Read more

21 customers mention "Content"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content good for learning, detailed, and useful. They appreciate the great hints and guidance for success. Readers also mention that the stories in both books are great, and the support info is enough.

"...very clear, the steps are easy to follow and there are some tips on working with the dough...." Read more

"...It has amazing tips and guides you so well! Everything you need to know is in there and you fall in love with Uri Scheft and his stories as well...." Read more

"...I love the book style, and photography but it also is full of detailed technique description that made a difference for my baking. Highly recommend." Read more

"...I pour over it deciding which challah to make, etc. This book has it all covered, who, what, where, when and how. Best $ I ever spent...." Read more

21 customers mention "Visuals"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the visuals in the book beautiful. They also mention that there are pictures and steps in the text.

"...There are pictures and steps in this book! Also theres so much more than just baking recipes in here!" Read more

"...I love the book style, and photography but it also is full of detailed technique description that made a difference for my baking. Highly recommend." Read more

"...a little bit in awe of the beauty of this book, and it is indeed beautiful, but personally, I'm getting tired of the memoir/cookbook/gorgeous photo..." Read more

"I wanted to love this book, I did. I even gave it as gifts. It's gorgeous, it's backed by impressive credentials: a famous baker, a beloved cuisine,..." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing and content"10 positive2 negative

Customers find the writing and content of the book easy to understand, well written, and clear. They also say the recipes are amazing and great for baking bread at home.

"...This is by no means a quick and easy recipe book, but the recipes are very clear, the steps are easy to follow and there are some tips on working..." Read more

"...I look for a book with clear instructions, impeccable proofreading, and interesting recipes.This book mostly supplies those things...." Read more

"...He has made so many of the recipes, and all of them are just so easy and uses ingredients that most home bakers would have in their pantry...." Read more

"In general I would say it's a good book. It's written in a plain and clear language and it has the thing that I find most important in baking books..." Read more

5 customers mention "Value"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the book. They mention it's the best money they've ever spent.

"...In fact, this was so worth the investment that after having the Kindle version for a while I bought the hardcover, too." Read more

"...This book has it all covered, who, what, where, when and how. Best $ I ever spent. I love the hardcover books rather than the downloads...." Read more

"...The Babka alone is the the best anywhere and worth the price and real estate of the book!! Bon Appetite!" Read more

"...i love both books a great deal and the instructions for each recipe in each book are all very clear...." Read more

Fabulous book and a great addition to my collection of bread books.
5 out of 5 stars
Fabulous book and a great addition to my collection of bread books.
I've had this book a couple weeks and only made two things, but both have been wonderful.When my husband and I visited Israel we had the Jerusalem Bagels (we called them sesame breads not knowing their name) and I'd been trying to reproduce them ever since. Close but not exactly was always the result. Now I can make them any time and they are what we remember.To celebrate our 44th anniversary I made the chocolate Babka. It takes time but it really wasn't difficult. A little messy when twisting the loaf together (author warns of this), but for chocolate lovers it's a special treat.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2020
Everything I made out of this book was successful. Seriously - everything. Sometimes the second try was better than the first, but all were good. Even the pan pita. This is not a purely "Israeli" baking book - it has a lot of sources and influences - but it does include a lot of the typical goods you can find in an Israeli bakery, including anything from an everyday loaf to typical holiday food like hamataschen and sufganiyot. This is by no means a quick and easy recipe book, but the recipes are very clear, the steps are easy to follow and there are some tips on working with the dough. In fact, this was so worth the investment that after having the Kindle version for a while I bought the hardcover, too.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019
I am a new baker and officially fell in love with baking from using this book. It has amazing tips and guides you so well! Everything you need to know is in there and you fall in love with Uri Scheft and his stories as well. There are pictures and steps in this book! Also theres so much more than just baking recipes in here!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
I have many cooking and baking books but this one is always at the top of my stack. I love the book style, and photography but it also is full of detailed technique description that made a difference for my baking. Highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2016
Most commenters thus far seem a little bit in awe of the beauty of this book, and it is indeed beautiful, but personally, I'm getting tired of the memoir/cookbook/gorgeous photo thing. I look for a book with clear instructions, impeccable proofreading, and interesting recipes.

This book mostly supplies those things. But be warned, most of these recipes not only call for but apparently require the use of a stand mixer -- if you don't have one that can handle stiff doughs, don't buy the book. I also found his instructions to be on the skimpy side. Note there is no instruction for the bread on the cover; he only includes a single, simple style of braiding in the book. It's easy to figure out, but I suspect the ring requires more dough, longer braids, and at least possibly a longer baking time. I'd like to be told that rather than have to wonder and experiment myself -- especially for the bread that graces the cover.

I am also a little bewildered by some of the proofing times. He says his dough should increase in size by 70 percent after a forty minute proof in a "warm kitchen." Honestly, I think the kitchen would have to be in the upper 90s to achieve that kind of proof, if even then. He does not give temperatures in any event, instead instructing the reader to use "cool" water for example. This is not a huge problem for experienced bakers, but I think he could have given some time/temperature starting points.

There also are not a large number of bread recipes, only a few; the remainder is sweets and savory pastries. That's fine, but it is advertised as a bread book and I was hoping for a bit more variety than it offers in that regard.

In sum, if all you are looking for is challah, you can find that in many places, including the Internet. If you are looking for a variety of Israeli/Middle Eastern/Jewish flatbreads, don't expect a lot of that here. If you want precise instructions, those aren't here either. If you don't have a stand mixer and aren't about to get one, this book will be of no use to you. But as an introduction to challah and a manual of other sweet and savory baked items, it's pretty good.
108 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
I purchased this book a few years ago for my husband as he started to love the art of baking breads. He is Lebanese and read it from cover to cover. He has made so many of the recipes, and all of them are just so easy and uses ingredients that most home bakers would have in their pantry. He would definitely recommend this to anyone who wishes to start the joy and satisfaction of bread baking, and the science behind it.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
It’s going to be ever so helpful for future bakes
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020
Golly, I love this book! I pour over it deciding which challah to make, etc. This book has it all covered, who, what, where, when and how. Best $ I ever spent. I love the hardcover books rather than the downloads. I love turning the pages and well, that's me. The recipes are plentiful and explanatory. Love this book!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2022
I love this wholesome collection of the best of Israeli Conditurias (confectionery shops.)I don’t mind using readymade Nutella(I use alternative brand) and puff pastry as some reviewers did. They work great!
It encompasses the best of my Israeli Nosh experience.
All these old Eastern European staples infused with enough Yiddishkeit to make them irristible!
The Babka alone is the the best anywhere and worth the price and real estate of the book!! Bon Appetite!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Zoli
5.0 out of 5 stars Super book, great pictures and recipes.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2023
Super book. Good recipes and easy to follow instructions. Even if you don't bake, just nice to browse, drool and learn about the recipes and history behind some of the breads.
Emma
5.0 out of 5 stars Homemade bread
Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2020
Very good book for everyone, who like homemade bread.
Client d'Amazonie
5.0 out of 5 stars Mon nouveau coup de cœur
Reviewed in France on May 29, 2020
Très beau livre, les recettes sont très bien expliquées et facile à réaliser. Le résultat est au rendez vous !!!
Le livre est en anglais mais assez accessible pour les non bilingues comme moi. Petit plus les ingrédients sont en grammes et pas que en cup comme on peut le trouver généralement dans les livres en anglais.
Cliente de Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Algunas recetas son complicadas, pero te da mucha idea de lo que puedes hacer. También te da recetas de otras cosas ricas
Reviewed in Mexico on February 16, 2017
Algunas recetas son complicadas, pero te da mucha idea de lo que puedes hacer. También te da recetas de otras cosas ricas
Olivia
4.0 out of 5 stars Il pane
Reviewed in Italy on April 12, 2017
Una guida attraverso un cibo antico. Belle ricette, varie. Il lato medio orientale curioso, nuovi sapori e spezie diverse ti portano in un viaggio lontano. Impastare a mano, sentire i cambiamenti. Alcune ricette non ben bilanciate, ma con i consigli per l'impasto si sente la necessità di cambiare e personalizzare. Un buon libro

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