The Joy of Freshly Baked Bread

When Elizabeth David published her magisterial English Bread and Yeast Cookery in 1977, the best book ever (33)_____ on the subject, sliced bread was still king. But thanks to a new generation of skilled bakers, it has become (34)_____ easier to buy a decent loaf. David’s insightful guide to the history of bread making has now been republished.

Homemade bread goes stale fast, so don’t make more than you need, says David. Soda bread is ideal as it is quick (35)_____ and delicious when fresh. Simply halve the recipe if you only want to make one loaf. Placing a cake tin over the loaf while cooking (36)_____ it to raise a little and prevents too hard a crust from (37)_____ .