Monday, February 21, 2011

Honey Oat Wheat Bread

I apologize for the cruddy pictures... this is what happens when I get in a rush I guess =)

Happy Monday guys!  How was everyone's weekend? 

We went out for sushi on Friday night and for dessert afterward.  Andy was holding a grudge (not really) because I wouldn't let him go get ice cream the night before, so I told him we could go this weekend.  And after pondering what to eat for dessert, we stumbled upon the Comfy Cow, and came up with a genius idea.  Get this... we're gonna have an ice cream sundae bar at the wedding!  The Comfy Cow caters, so hopefully I can book that soon!  We figure it'll be something different for dessert, although we're still planning on having a little wedding cake too.  Neat, eh?

Anyway, today's bread is probably the best I've made yet.  It's definitely the softest, fluffiest loaf I've produced this year.  And Andy has been begging me to make some wheat bread, so I finally did it! 

Man, I've been caving into a lot of his needs and wants lately, haven't I?  First with the Velveeta, and now the wheat bread.  At least with the wheat bread, we both can agree it was fantastic!


Ingredients:


Adapted from Radishes & Rhubarb's recipe

1/2 cup oats
1 to 2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons of honey
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-2 teaspoons salt
1 & 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 & 1/2 cups bread flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 & 1/4  teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons milk
oats, for dusting (optional)


In a large bowl, combine oats, 1 cup boiling water, honey, butter, and salt.  Mix until butter has melted.  
Allow mixture to cool slightly and stir again. You've basically made some oatmeal porridge and this is going to rock your world when mixed with the flour.  Seriously.

Stir in all three flours and yeast.  The dough will be relatively shaggy.  Add water (in 1/2 cup increments) until you have a manageable dough.

Turn bread onto floured worktop and knead for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic.
 
Oil a large, clean bowl and form your dough into a ball. Turn dough ball to lightly cover with oil in bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a warm, damp towel and leave for about an hour until it has roughly doubled in size.

Turn dough ball onto floured surface again and punch down.  With a floured rolling pin, roll dough out into a rectangle and fold like a business letter (top half down and bottom half up).  Turn once and roll out and fold once more.

Fold in the sides to get a nicely shaped loaf.  Grease a bread loaf pan/tin and place dough, smooth side up in pan.  Using a pastry brush, brush on enough milk to lightly coat the top.  Lightly sprinkle oats on top, if desired.  Cover with warm towel and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
 
Cut 3 diagonal slashes on top of bread and place in oven on middle rack. 
 
Place a baking sheet underneath and add about 1/2 to 1 cup of water.  
 
Heat oven to 375 F and bake for about 45 minutes, or until outside is golden and bread is cooked through.
 
Cool on a heating rack before cutting.

Serve with your favorite jam or a slat of butter.  This bread is THE bomb.

 
Through my bread-making escapades this year, I've found when I place the loaf in a cold oven, it results in a softer bread.  And when there's steam from the water in the pan below, it created a crispy crust.  I'm no bread expert, trust me.  This is just what I've found works for me! 

Hope you guys have a great rest of your Monday and see you tomorrow!

19 comments:

  1. The sundae bar sounds like an awesome idea!!!!

    And that bread looks really great...I can almost taste it :)

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  2. That bread looks really beautiful. I've been into making bread lately. I'll have to try my hand at this one.

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  3. I've always admired people who make their own bread. It takes a lot of love & patient to do it. It's almost mission impossible to me. Hahaha!

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  4. ahhhh I want this! in my belly! now! =)

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  5. Weekend too short, but yes, bread in belly now!

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  6. What a delicious beautiful looking bread! I would love some toasted with some jam!

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  7. Peggy the bread is looking so good... loved the flavour of honey..and healthy with the addition of oats..OMG! I want to have a slice now..

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  8. Oatmeal bread with honey... love it! Warm from the oven and slathered with butter, what could be better??

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  9. Oooh, my mom used to make something like this! I just want to cut it in half and slather it with butter and cinnamon :)

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  10. Beaut bread! I love the idea of a Sundae bar!! Can I come??? No worries, I live an ocean and 1 1/2 continents away...

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  11. Nice looking bread!! I definitely should bake more bread myself :-)

    My best
    Birthe

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  12. I have eaten this bread before and its texture is well fine.
    So delicious ♥

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  13. Getting encouraged after this well presented bread, need to improve my bread baking skills now..

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  14. OMG an ice cream sundae bar...I am totally stealing/borrowing that idea when I get married.

    This loaf looks delicious! And I have all the ingredients to make it! What perfect timing...

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  15. the Bread seems tempting Peggy! I rarely make my own bread cause here I can get it always warm and easily at the corner of my alley.. but this one is must try one.. thx for sharing ^_^

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  16. Bread looks great with perfect color and texture. Amazing photos too...

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  17. I absolutely love the idea of the ice cream sundae bar at the wedding!! Sheer genius and so fun! :D

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  18. Bread looks beautiful and perfect. Yes while making our bread we learn lot of things. Love the idea of ice cream sundae bar for wedding.

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  19. Thank you for asking, we had a wonderful weekend in Nashville! Your bread looks beautiful! I love baking bread at home, never put oats in mine, bookmarked! Thank you for sharing :)

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