Introduction

It may sound strange, but whenever the word baking is mentioned around most of the cooks I know, they run a mile. Even those with lots of culinary experience can be terrified at the thought of cooking with precisely weighed out ingredients and having to follow the rigid rules of the pastry kitchen.

The funny thing is, baking doesn’t have to be like this. Why? Well, firstly, baking is not just about cakes — it covers a wide range of savoury as well as sweet dishes too. Though most people associate it solely with cakes and pastry, piles of scones and sponges, afternoon tea and fancy patisserie, actually anything that has been cooked in the dry heat of an oven can be considered to be baked. Secondly, and most importantly, anyone can bake. Yes, a sophisticated soufflé does sound like a difficult undertaking (though it isn’t as hard as many people believe) but a basic, filled baked potato is a simple yet delicious luxury that absolutely anyone can make, no matter how much experience they have in the kitchen.