Our Daily Bread: Honey Oat Wholewheat Bread
There is something so intrinsically therapeutic about baking bread. So appealing to all the senses, and so calming in so many ways. I’m a big fan of bread baking. No bread machines here. I like to assemble it all, one ingredient at a time. I like to watch as the yeast is activated and starts to bubble. I like to set the lump of dough under a clean, fresh dishtowel and peek under it periodically, watching in wonder as it grows, grows, grows. And when it is finally at it’s peak - punch it down again and listen to the air “whssss” out of it. Then roll it around a bit, break it into two pieces and throw it into my extra large bread pans, perfect for sandwich bread, or toast, or slicing up and making croutons.
Here is my Honey Oat Wholewheat Bread recipe. It was made by accident one day, as I was short on white flour. I’m sure there are many recipes out there that are similar to this one, but this is the wholewheat bread recipe that I like best:
2 2/3 cup lukewarm water
4 tsps yeast
Add yeast to water in a small measuring bowl. Wait for the yeast to start bubbling, about 5 minutes or so.
Add to yeast water:
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
Whisk up well, and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, or Kitchenaid bowl, assemble the following:
4 cups of all-purpose, unbleached flour
3 cups wholewheat flour
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (Quaker)
2 tsps salt
Stir to incorporate the flours and salt. If you have a Kitchenaid, attach the bowl and use the dough hook. Set at low speed and pour your water/yeast/honey mixture into the flour mixture very slowly. Allow the machine to mix (on low) for 5-10 minutes.
If you are going to mix by hand, make a large well in the middle of your flour mixture. Pour the liquid mixture in the well and mix slowly and gently with a wooden spoon, incorporating more and more flour with every turn.
When your dry ingredients and liquid ingredients are thoroughly mixed, turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead for several minutes. If you have mixed your dough by hand, you will need to knead for a bit longer.
Knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
Set dough on a clean counter, or in a clean bowl and cover with a fresh kitchen towel. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 – 1 1/2 hour.
After your dough has risen, punch it down, knead a few more turns, and separate it into two pieces, shaping each piece in an oval.
Place dough ovals in large loaf pans (approx. 4″ x 9″). Cover both loaf pans with your clean, fresh kitchen towel and let rise again for about 45 minutes. To achieve the characteristic slit on the top of the loaf, simply run a sharp knife over the top of your loaf. This severs the strands of gluten, and will allow your bread to rise further while baking.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees, for about 30 minutes, or until bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
_________________________________________________________________

The aftermath of one of our extended bread-making sessions. Sure, it's a mess, but the smiles can't be beat!!
The thing about bread-making that I like the best is that it never gets boring. Every day it is soothing, captivating, warm and lovely. Children are not lost to these qualities either. In fact, even the most ‘un-impressed’ child will take notice of the process. More often than not, I have several little helpers with me asking a myriad of questions, like “Why does yeast bubble?”, “Is it really ALIVE?!?”, ”Where does flour come from? Is it grown or made?”, and so on. Eventually, they talk me into giving a tiny bit of dough to each of them.
I have so many fond memories of my little helpers making their little flour messes and delighting in an art so simple, so practical, and so ancient.
In the end you have a mini-art project, a mini-science project, a mini-history project, and a couple day’s worth of bread. It is simple living and multitasking at it’s best. Best of all however, you have a way to spend some busy, yet quiet time with yourself, or with some little people who you love.
This recipe makes 2 large loaves. I usually freeze one (wrapped in foil) for later, and use the fresh one for breakfast toast and/or peanut butter sandwiches. It is especially wonderful topped with lightly-salted butter and honey. It’s even great all on it’s own, and makes a perfect high-fiber, low-sugar, wholesome and filling snack for a growing child.
I hope you enjoy the soothing art of bread-making soon!
Best wishes,

![signature_off-white[1]](http://theflyingkitchen.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/signature_off-white1.jpg)
























