Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Sue Gregg ’ s Whole Grain Baking

ByKeeper of the Home

I have been promising a review of Sue Gregg's book "An Introduction to Whole Grain Baking… with Blender Batter Baking & the Two-Stage Process" for quite some time now, and at long last, here it is!

The day that I finally broke down and bought this book was one when I had yet another baking disaster (the last in a very, very loooong string of disasters). Though I was giving it my all, this soaking method of baking was at best only working for me inconsistently. I had some things that turned out great (cornbread, pancakes) and others that were miserable flops (muffins, quick breads), and some that were in between (attempts to modify my yeast bread recipes).

I am pleased to tell you that after nearly a month with this book, and having tried quite a few recipes so far, I haven't had any true flops, and have had many rave reviews!

When I first received the book in the mail, I will admit– I was a bit disappointed. It had a lot of teaching material in it that I just didn't really care about. I already knew about whole grains, different types of grains, oil use and storage, alternative sweeteners, etc. I worried that I had wasted my money on a book that was primarily teaching and had far fewer recipes than I had hoped for.

As I got into the book, however, my feelings began to change.

True, some of the material felt irrevelant to me, and yes, it had less recipes than I wanted. But some of the teaching material was so incredibly helpful, such as the yeast bread section. Sue is very much a teacher, and her explanations of how the kneading process works, for example, really helped me to grasp more of the why's and how's in making excellent, consistent loaves of bread.

The recipes include cornbread, coffee cake, pancakes/waffles/crepes, muffins, scones, zucchini bread, etc. as well as yeast recipes for bread, buns, pizza dough and others, and both sprouted and sourdough bread recipes. So far I have tried cornbread, pancakes, scones, and yeast bread, dinner rolls and pizza dough. Every recipe has been easy to follow and has produced really good results! The next recipes on my list to try are banana bread/muffins, coffee cake and sourdough bread (all of which I'll tell you about when I try them).

The book also comes with a teaching DVD, which I am embarrassed to say I haven't even watched yet! I will definitely get around to it sometime soon, but for now, the time just hasn't really been there. I'm sure it's helpful though, especially for beginners, just to see exactly what she's doing!

Who do I recommend it for?

If you are just starting out and learning how to properly prepare your grains, I would highly recommend this book. It provides so much valuable information, in a very understandable and readable format, as well as very detailed, predictable recipes that will make you feel so successful!

If you have been at it awhile, but feel like you need a bit of help to get the hang out it more or are just not a natural at baking (ahem… that would be me!), then these recipes would be great to help you establish a really good foundation for this style of baking, and give you something to work with when you're ready to start modifying and playing around on your own a bit more.

If you're already successfully doing two-stage baking, using Nourishing Traditions and/or creating your own recipes, etc. and have been at it for awhile, you may find this book too elementary and not worth the money.

Because I accidentally ended up with an extra copy of the book, I'm excited to offer it as a giveaway!

Would you like to win this book? Here's how:

  1. Leave a comment, with your name and email address, to be entered into the draw.
  2. The giveaway will run until next Wednesday, May 28, at 4pm.
  3. Contest is open to US and Canadian residents.

Although I am not affiliated with her books at all, if you don't win and you're interested in purchasing the book, you can purchase it from her site at www.suegregg.com.

Frugal Fridays is hosted by Biblical Womanhood.

Edit: This giveaway has now ended- thanks for participating!

Similar Posts

85 Comments

  1. Your last post (with recipes) on soaking grains inspired me to give it a try! Thank you for reviewing this book. And thanks for the giveaway!!

  2. I did my first soaking last week with steel cut oats. I need more direction of this so I can really start to incorporate it with more confidence. I thought I read once before about soaking legumes beyond the overnight water soak that I have done before. I have yet to make a pot of beans that is edible. I would love to see a post on beans!

  3. I am a complete newbie. I just found your blog along with some others and have started reading them faithfully. I am a Christian SAHM with two small boys and have been convicted to start eating and living a healther way. I have read a lot about Sue Greggs and feel overwhelmed at trying this method, even though I know it’s a good thing to do. For someone like me, this book sounds perfect. I have struggled with where to get “good” information about eating right. Thanks for your blog!

  5. I would love to try this method with grains as I am thinking this will help my husband. I’ve heard about this author before. I would love to enter the contest.
    I am a permanent resident (and citizen) of the USA, but will not be back until later this summer (living in Ghana at present). If I win, I can give you an address to send it to in states, once the contest is over.
    You can decide whether or not I meet the criteria for eligibility – Thanks! =)
    Loretta at: http://veganfootprints.blogspot.com/

  6. Thanks for your blog…I’m learning a lot from you and am really interested in starting implementing whole grains into our families cooking 🙂

  7. I would really like to be entered into this contest. I have been wanting to get into the whole grain soaking process, and like you I am not too natural at it. I tried the muffin recipe you posted a while back, and that was a complete and utter mess. They never cooked all the way through and the outsides were really dark.

    I am really enjoying your blog…there is so much useful information.

  8. I too am interested in learning this process. Thank you fot the great give away!

  9. This would be a very useful resource. I’m just beginning to discover soaking grains and have had good experiences with pancakes, tortillas and oatmeal but that’s about it. I’m anxious to learn more!

  10. I’m trying to learn more about soaking and, as you said, trying to soak the grains in my old recipes didn’t work very well for me so this book would be very helpful. Thank you for this giveaway!

    Claudea

  11. I’ve got all Sue’s books on my “wish list”. I too have had some MAJOR flops in my trying to soak the grains for baking. Thanks for the review!!

  12. Hey Stephanie, finally back home. It was a great trip and I’m enjoying getting things back to normal now. Please include me in the giveaway. I would like to learn more about healthy eating especially in regards to grains and soaking. Thanks. Rosie

  13. What a great book for those of us who are just getting started. Thanks again for all the wonderful info and this giveaway opportunity!
    foursillysisters (at) gmail (dot) com

  14. Oh me, me me 😀

    I don’t feel comfortable giving my email address out in public forums, is that ok? If I win, maybe you could leave me a comment on my blog? If not, that’s ok.

  15. I would love to win! I have been waiting to buy this book, but after reading your review, I realize it will probably answer ALL of my questions! Praise God!!

  16. I have been wanting to get this book for sometime but other things seem more important.
    I would love to win this book. I have a couple of her books but she has since revised them.
    May the best lady win!
    Thanks for the offer!

  19. Count me in! I’ve been looking at this book anyway. It sounds wonderful. 🙂

  21. oh me, please! Bread making is something I haven’t had the nerve to try yet and would love to learn!

  22. I would LOVE this book! I’m definitely into soaking my grains and seeds, but I haven’t experimented with baking them yet. I’d love the opportunity to learn more about it.

  23. Oh! I’d love to have a copy of the book. I’ve been soaking grains for a while and doing alright with pancakes, but having a hard time with muffins, biscuits, etc. Some help with using different grains and then getting them to rise would just be so helpful! Thanks for offering your second copy up for a contest, I hope I win!

  24. I have heard about this cookbook and wondered if it was worth getting. Thanks for the review and giveaway!

  25. I would love to check this book out! I’ve been trying to bump up our healthy eating a notch or two.

  26. I’d love to get my doughy hands on a copy. Does it cover high-altitude baking? That is important as I live above 5,000 feet.

  28. Oh this would be wonderful! I would love to learn how to soak my grains, and then I could feed my husband healthier food… and he woudn’t even notice the difference 🙂

  31. What I know of soaking and baking with whole grains is whay I have learned from you. I would love to get into it a little more but it is a little overwhelming. A book like this would be great. Thanks for the review and if I don;t win I may still pick this one up.

  32. I’m finishing up my first soaked recipe tonight – the pizza dough you linked too. I’m so hopeful it works out since my husband has a pizza dough recipe he loves [but it isn’t soaked and isn’t all whole wheat either 🙁 ] so this one has to be good enough to convince him to switch.

    I would love this book. My mom has the whole set and I have been envious for a while now.

  33. I would LOVE to be included in your giveaway contest!! I’ve been wanting to learn more about soaking grains for a while now…
    I have yet to try doing so…

    Thanks Stephanie, for a wonderful blog – it’s been a great resource for me!

    Hugs, Hugs
    Trace

  34. I am really enjoying your blog! Thanks for posting such helpful and informative stuff. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks

  36. I made my first soaked bread this week, so I would be very interested. 🙂

  37. This is a great, thorough review. I could really use the knowledge about what the different steps in bread making accomplish. I’m still trying to get up the nerve to try soaking my grains. It sounds like this book would be a great place to start.

  40. Since our daughter has been diagnosed with Colitis, I’ve become increasingly interested in soaking our grains. They seem to agree with her so much better – as we must limit her fiber. Please enter me in the give away.

  42. I’m right on the verge of making the choice to start soaking my grains. Right on the edge! I know I need too, I just don’t know how, so this book would be awesome for me! Thanks for such a great giveaway!

  47. There are no bakers in my family and last year I learn to make pies, tarts, and created the winning crust for Quiche. Now I want to learn to make/bake bread and I have no idea where to start- this book sounds like a great way to get started. Thanks for sharing your review on the book!

  49. Although I have NT, I have not tried my hand at soaking and baking … just the basic stock is all at this point. So I’d love to win Sue’s book. I think the
    “elementary instruction” probably would be great for me. Thanks!

  51. I’ve had such bad luck with grains; this book would help turn that around. I’m happy to enter!

  52. This is a great post to read and contest to hear about as I sit, nervously, with my grains soaking in kefir as I write!! I am in the ‘just getting started’ category. I would love to win this!

  53. I would love to have this book! Due to some recent health stuff, I’m trying to totally revamp my diet. Your Baby Steps posts couldn’t have come at a more opportune time 🙂 I love your site!

  54. I am so excited at the prospect of winning this book! I need all the help I can get in learning how to best work with whole grains. Today’s my birthday and I’m hoping that will give me a little luck! 🙂 Thanks!

  57. I am so excited about this give away. I have started baking more and soaking my grains. I still have much to learn and this book by Sue Gregg would really give the education and information to cook healthfully for my family. I also really enjoy your blog and read it often. Thanks and God Bless!

  58. Hey I love your website and would love to learn more about Sue Gregg’s healthy cooking ideas for my family. I just started cooking grains and would love to learn more about cooking and baking!

  59. this book would be incredibly useful!
    i would certainly need the educational aspect of it too! 🙂

  61. This book sounds great! 🙂 I would love to read it.
    And, I’m sorry you had some “flops”, but I’m giggling, because I’m glad I’m not the only one! 🙂 Something went terribly wrong with a batch of bran muffins awhile ago…. Shall I just say, they turned out quite… interesting… 🙂

    Blessings,
    Michele
    http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com

  62. I really enjoy your blog. You seem to be dealing with the same issues as my family. Sunscreen use, sippy cups etc. I have five children under 7. My husband had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and ended up in heart failure at age 30. We have had to totally revamp our life and cooking style. I am still fairly new to the grain soaking idea. I am grateful for your giveaway and would like to be entered too. Thanks so much for all of your hard work on this site!

  63. oh me! pick me! i’m just learning about this whole business and don’t know nearly enough yet! I need a book just like this!!!

  64. i feel shy to say that i have never left and comment before, only read them. yet a give away can get this dutch girl to do things she normally wouldn’t. i too have tried soaking grains and it failed miserably and would love a book that could teach my how and why.

  67. I beginning to learn about this type of cooking. Sounds like a great book! Thanks! mixedbouquetATgmailDOTcom

  68. I would love to win this book, making soaked grain bread intimidates me and I would love to win a book that breaks it down for me!

  71. I have several of Sue Gregg’s cookbooks, but I’ve never taken the time to really study them. One of our favorite recipes is her Parmesan Chicken, in the Main Dishes cookbook. I don’t have the whole grain one that you’re offering, though, so I’ll leave a comment and enter and maybe add to my collection! 😉

    Incidentally, I’ve been reading right along and appreciate your thoughts on supplements and cooking with other grains. All very interesting . . . I’m just not there yet!

  72. I have wanted this book for some time, but hate to spend money on books I have not browsed through. Great to have found your blog!

  73. I just love your blog. I have been visiting since early January. I always find such good information here. I would love a shot at winning! Keep up the good work you do here.

  74. This book sounds wonderful! I definately need a book like this! I will definately check out her website – and if I don’t win I will be buying the book for sure! 🙂

  75. This book sounds like a great resource. Would love to learn how to bake healthier bread for my family!

  77. I love your blog!!! Thank you so much for doing this giveaway- I would really appreciate a copy!

  78. Oh, how exciting! I’m trying to learn more about this and find it very sweet of you to pass the blessing along.

  79. Oooo…pick me! I’m trying to soak our grains, but I need some help with baking!

  80. Great book review. Thanks. Congrats on all the entries for the give away! I’d love to win!

  81. Just stumbled upon your site looking for information to use to encourage my young ladies I am mentoring in our Titus 2 ministry. Love this idea and possibility of winning a book. Thank you!

  82. I’d love to win a copy. I have to tell you though…I had a flop with my first blender batter waffles. I put the mix in my waffle maker and I could not get them to come out. It didn’t say to do anything special on Sue Gregg’s website. I cooked it for the amount of time recommended. Any helpful thoughts please let me know. I’ll be posting about it next Monday at my blog.

    Thanks!

  84. Please enter me! My family is getting ready to drastically change our eating habits. I am a little lost in where and how to get started on such a different road… but this sounds like a great place to start!

  85. I would love to win your extra copy of this book. We are making a lot of changes in our eating for health reasons and I am so overwhelmed with changing how we do almost everything. This book sounds like it would be a great help. Thanks so much!

    Mrs. H

Comments are closed.