From the Wood-Fired Oven

October 1, 2013
It's safe to say that most of us won't be baking in a wood-fired oven . . . at least, in the foreseeable future. On the other hand, for bread aficionados and others addicted to the tastes emanating from these kinds of ovens, there's no better substitute for the knowledge and expertise Miscovich impartsnot to mention the fiftysomething recipes. He begins with the foundations: understanding ovens and fuel, operating guidelines, and all the processes that comprise bread baking, from ingredients to proofing. Every chapter is filled with full-color photographs and, when necessary, step-by-step sequences. Where the author truly excels is in his very thorough explanation of recipes. They're woven into the text, using a narrative style. He freely gives advice, variations, and commentary on best and not-as-good versions, as well as caveats (e.g., what to expect from a bread starter when it's been transferred from another region). At times, personal stories appear, from his relationship with the late Alan Scott (a master brick-oven builder and coauthor of the seminal work on wood-fired ovens) to his bout with carpal tunnel syndrome. Thorough and completely engaging.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)