I've been working for several years to develop gluten-free breads of various types that 1) are as similar in character as possible to their wheat equivalents, 2) contain only a few, readily available ingredients and avoid additives such as guar or xanthan gum, and 3) are simple enough to make that the average person with a basic kitchen can expect success.
My eventual goal is to distribute these recipes by one or more books, and possibly by other methods such as teaching classes, licensing to professional bakeries, electronic distribution, and so on. I'm not out to make a bundle, but I want credit for the considerable work I've put into this technique, and a modest share of any money it does generate. More than that, I want to ensure that gluten-free folk have access to tried and tested recipes for the best bread possible, not some half-developed mess that disappoints everyone.
To that end, I'm asking my recipe testers to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before I release recipes for evaluation. It's a fairly simple one, which requests that the recipes and techniques involved be kept under wraps until a book (or other distribution method) is finally out. Once we have recipes which will absolutely work, you'll be free to show your friends the finished recipes and how to make them... but I don't want beta-test versions circulating as "the real deal" before that.
The products of initial development have been so popular among local folk that I know there's a desperate need for this kind of bread -- I'm developing things like crusty French baguettes, English muffins, bagels, and other items which have poor or no representation on the store shelves. I'll do my best to keep the project moving, though I am somewhat at the mercy of finding good help. We'll see what happens in the meantime, but I don't intend to keep the NDA in force indefinitely.
Testers will need a kitchen with at least the basic equipment: a cooking surface, an oven, mixing bowls, spoons, sugar, salt, and so on. The book's introduction (distributed in the initial packet) will cover the flour and any other things needed. You don't have to be a baker, but you need to know cooking basics, such as how to measure ingredients and operate the oven. My target audience is someone who knows how to cook a meal which doesn't involve frozen processed food. What I will ask of testers is that they try each recipe at least once, and note down any comments they have about how easy the recipe is to follow, how accurately it describes the process, and what they think of the finished bread; I'm particularly interested in what might go wrong, so that I can figure out how to avoid or fix it in the finished version. I may ask that the person try the recipe again with one or more modifications, or ask other testers to try it the same way. Any ideas for improving the recipes are also important.
If you're willing to get involved, I have a link to the NDA below. Print out two copies of the PDF, fill in the blanks, and initial the bottom of each page. Then mail both to the address at the bottom of the last page. I will sign and date both copies, and send one back to you for your records. Be sure to fill out the line with your email address, as that's my default method to contact you and send recipe packets.
Thanks very much for your interest... All participating testers will be mentioned in the book, as I know I couldn't finish this project without help. :)
Sam
torquill at gmail
October 15, 2020
Non-Disclosure Agreement (45 K)