Must or Bust : Honey Oat Bread and A Spring Wreath

I'm really sorry I've dropped off the face of the blog-world the last little while. . . I REALLY wanted to post about something {anything!} for the last week or more, but I had absolutely nothing to write about. I was racking my brain so hard it's a miracle smoke wasn't coming from my nose holes.

So, naturally, I went to work on a Must or Bust to salvage myself and keep ya'll smiling. 'Cause, let's face it: that's why I do what I do. It's not to hear myself talk. . . in your head. Because we all know you can hear me right now.

Yup.

Moving on.

. . . . .

Soft Honey Oat Bread : Bust

{photo source}

Before I delve into the nitty-gritty details, just let me say that whenever I read Darla's blog "Bakingdom", I crack up. The first post I ever read of hers was about zombies and the cutest mini pumpkin streusel cakes. . . and I just about DIED. She is hilarious, you guys. You can read that post HERE if'n you're interested.

But if you're here for the bread, go on and click HERE. Enjoy yourself.

The reason I rated this bread as "bust" was because it was my first time making it. I usually need a "Round Two" before getting a feelin' for the bread. Each recipe has it's own personality and quirks, and this bread is no different.

She mentions kneading/mixing it for 10 minutes, and since my bread machine is in a box {packing boxes is probably my most least-est favorite thing right about now. Can't our stuff just follow us there by itself?}, I used my hands. Because I'm cool like that.

I kneaded for maybe 3 minutes and I was already scratching my noggin about how I needed to knead it for 7 more minutes. 10 minutes is definitely excessive in my humble-not-very-good-at-baking-bread-but-I-still-try opinion.

I'm really chatty today, can you tell? I'm terribly sorry. I'll get to the point.

I think I may have used too much flour in my zest for kneading. I also used creamed honey instead of plain-ol honey, and so that may have been a factor. There's also a good reason she suggests using parchment paper in your pan. . . imagine smothering your dough with warmed honey, baking it for 42 minutes, and then trying to pry your loaf out of the pan. Honey + heat + time + glass baking dish = trouble.

But fear not. After tapping into my ninja skills and prying at it with a butter knife for a few minutes, I came off conqueror.

And I somehow managed to spell "conqueror" right the first time. It was totally good luck and nothing more. I just thought you'd like to know that.

:)

Oh, and plan on having 87% of the oats {that you sprinkle on top} fly across the counter top and kitchen floor when you slice it.  It's pretty much awesome.

. . .

3 cups (381 grams) all-purpose flour
¾ cup oats (I have used instant and old fashioned, both work great)
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
1 cup (250 ml) milk (almond or soy milk for vegan/dairy free)
¼ cup (62 ml) lukewarm water
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter or margarine
¼ cup honey (agave for vegan)
1½ to 2 tablespoons honey (or agave), warmed
1½ to 2 tablespoons oats

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the flour, oats, yeast, and salt.

In a small bowl, or two cup (450 ml) measuring cup, warm the milk so that it's hot enough to melt the butter, but not boiling. Add the butter, stirring until melted, then stir in the water and honey.

Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, mixing with a dough hook until it just comes together to form a dough. Knead in the mixer, with the dough hook attachment, for 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic (if you're making this recipe by hand, the dough will be very sticky at first; flour your hands and work surface generously and be patient). If the dough is still very wet and sticky after 5 minutes of kneading, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is barely tacky. If the dough is too dry, add water, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) at a time, to soften it up.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise until doubled, about ½ to 1 hour.

Once doubled, place the dough on a clean, dry work surface. If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour the surface before continuing. With your fingers, flatten the dough into a 9 by 12-inch rectangle. Tightly roll the dough, tucking the ends as needed, into a loaf. 

Place the shaped dough into a 9x5-inch loaf pan, cover with a clean dry towel, and allow to rise until doubled, about ½ to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180 C). Place an empty loaf pan on the bottom rack of the oven and bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

When the loaf is doubled again, brush the top with the warmed honey and sprinkle with the oats.
Place the bread in the oven and pour the boiling water into the empty loaf pan on the bottom rack of the oven. 

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the bread is deep golden brown and the internal temperature is about 190 degrees.

Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.

. . . .

Spring Baby Grass Wreath: Must

{photo source}

I've had a crush on this wreath for a small eternity, but I'm just now getting around to making it. Oh, well. At least I did it. . . right? :)

But, dudes, do you know what I just decided?

I'll tell you.

My projects ALWAYS look lame when I compare them side by side with the original. I mean, really. And let the record show I'm certainly not fishing for compliments or pity or anything. . . just stating facts. :)

I thought I nailed this wreath until I looked back and forth at the two pictures. Ummm, yeah. All I can say in my defense is that 1) the only sized wreath I had on hand was bigger than what Paty used for her wreath HERE {"Capture the Details"} which therefore resulted in skimpier-looking grass; and 2) it looks a lot cuter in person. . . where the original is no where to be found.

Be gentle.





I used yellow instead of pink because I'm cheap frugal and I knew I had yellow ribbon at home whereas I would've had to purchase pink ribbon.

Also, I think I stood in the aisle of JoAnn for probably 5 minutes debating on whether I should blow $4.99 on yellow quilting pins or make-do with what I had at home. My concern was that I knew I didn't have enough 'yellows' and I have OCD.

My thriftiness won out in the end and I just threw in some white ones when I ran out. It worked fine-- you can't even tell.  If you come to my house and I see you with your nose in my wreath, I'll know you're an avid blog reader and you're looking for my white pins. And I'll probably hug you. And kiss your feet. Or somethin'.

P.S. I looked for that yarn at Michael's and multiple Wal-Marts. Save yourself some trouble {and gas} and just go to JoAnn.

. . . . .

Well, that's all I have up my sleeve for you all this go 'round. I wish I had more. But, uh, nope. Sorry. I'm feelin' a wild hair starting to sprout and I think I'll be trying some more Pinterest-y stuff soon, but I make no promises on how soon I'll be able to post about it.

Probably tomorrow. . . let's face it. I get kinda crazy sometimes. :)