Food

I've resisted sharing recipes on this blog (mostly). Most people I know don't need more recipes and this isn't really a food blog, anyway. However, I've been thinking a lot about how food--what I cook, what I don't cook, what I eat, what I don't eat--seems to tell a lot about my life in general. When it comes to memories, I remember dates and events, but I'm just as likely to remember what I ate or where I shopped for the food. I love thinking about how tastes have changed--either my own or those of the culture in general. Being pregnant and married have both really affected how I eat. I've gone from being a girl who bought ice cream about once a year (yes, Steph, I know that that is unthinkable to you) to being one who has an opinion on brands of ice cream. I've even spent scary amounts of time staring at the candy in the candy aisle lately (something I haven't done since junior high when I kept jolly ranchers in my locker at school).

With my true love of food admitted and since we are just past the one year anniversary of moving in to our house, I'm going to share a recipe that is dear to me. This is the bread that our neighbor, Tracie, brought over to us as a
house warming gift when we first moved in. It is yummy and while it is officially called Oatmeal Bread, it will always be New House Bread to me.


Oatmeal Bread
2 c. boiling water
1 c. oatmeal (I use quick oats)
1/2 c. molasses
1 tsp. salt
1 T. butter, melted
1 pkg yeast
1/2 c. warm water
4 1/2-5 c. flour (or more)
Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand one hour. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 c. warm water. Let stand 15 minutes. Add to oatmeal. Add molasses, salt and butter. Knead in flour. Let rise until doubled in volume.. Punch down, form in to 2 loaves. Place in loaf pans. Preheat oven to 400º. Let rise about 1/2 hour. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool on rack. (Great sliced and buttered, but this also makes excellent toast.)