Oatmeal Raisin Brown Bread

Oatmeal Raisin Brown Bread.... our most favourite bread ... it takes a bit of trial & error to work out recipes to your liking and I finally have this one worked out.... It is really simple & delicious.... takes less than 5 min. to put it together

I use a breadmaker to mix it & do the first raising... while I work up in the studio... must be what having a maid feels like...

1½ C. water - lukewarm- so not to kill your yeast
2 Tbsp.milk powder
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp. molasses
2 Tbsp. sugar or honey
1½ tsp. sea salt
3½ C. flour ( I use ½ unbleached and ½ whole wheat although it tastes great using all whole wheat too.. just a little denser)
¾ C. quick cooking oatmeal
2-3 tsp. dry yeast

Just as it starts to mix in the breadmaker,

toss in ½ C. raisins... Feel free to add a few Tbsp. of your favorite nuts or grains for flavor & texture .... I have been using Flax seed, ground and whole, Salba, sesame and Sunflower seeds.... a small handfull of 12 grain cereal is nice too...

....this first portion of kneading and rising takes 1½ hours but the machine does all that. Then take it out and shape it into a slightly flattened round ball, (sometimes I shape it into a long loaf) , roll it to and fro on your greased cookie sheet.... cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm draft free place...a sunny window sill works well... if it isn't sunny I sit it near the woodstove...






 Bake in preheated 375º F. oven for 25 min.... this time works for me but as all ovens are a bit different in temperature... check it every now and  then to see if it is done..

....this bread tastes as good as the aroma that emanates through the house... it goes with everything....yogurt, fruit, home made soup, beans...

.... and is just plain delicious all by itself...