Bread Machine Week: Honey Oat Bread

This recipe almost turned into a fail, but not because of the recipe.

An hour into the cycle, my son hit the start/stop button, which is a BIG no-no with my bread machine. I started to freak out.

But my hubby calmed me down and I realized I could finish it off myself - just let it rise once, kneaded the dough one more time, let it rise again and baked it in the oven.

Turned out FABULOUS! My favorite bread I've made so far - maybe ever!

Very soft, a little sweet, and I have to admit - I like the shape of oven-baked bread better than the machine. But I still love the convenience of the machine!

You have to give this recipe a shot!

Honey Oat Bread

Ingredients
1 cup water
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
3 cups white bread flour
1/2 cup oatmeal, uncooked
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions
Combine ingredients in breadmaker per your manufacturer's instructions.

NOTE: Cook time is for the basic/white cycle (medium crust; 1½ lb loaf) using a BreadmanPlus bread machine; your machine may differ. (from Recipezaar user)

Because of my little interruption, I ended up baking mine at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and it was perfect!

Bread Machine Week: FAIL #1

After the Italian Herb Bread, I tried a Honey Grain Bread from the bread machine cookbook under the Whole Wheat category. Sounded good.

Turned out bad - hard, strange-looking and dry.

Oh well - on to the next recipe...

Bread Machine Week: Italian Herb Bread

**For those of you wondering, we have an Oster 2 lb. EXPRESSBAKE Breadmaker that we got as a wedding present 6 1/2 years ago. Never tried anything else, but works pretty well!**

Here is the first recipe I made to kick off Bread Machine Week!

It was under the French bread category in my bread machine cookbook.

The bread came out very tasty - nice crust, soft inside and great flavor! I am saving it for our spaghetti dinner on Thursday! I think it would be excellent for sandwiches as well.

The only change I made to this recipe was omitting the Parmesan cheese since I am not a fan. Let me know if you make it with the cheese!

Italian Herb Bread

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour
2 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp dried parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried onion flakes
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp active dry yeast

Directions
Measure and add liquid ingredients to the bread pan.

Measure and add dry ingredients (except yeast) to the bread pan.

Use your finger to form a well (hole) in the flour where you will pour the yeast. Yeast must NEVER come into contact with a liquid when you are adding ingredients. Measure the yeast and carefully pour into the well.

Snap the baking pan into the breadmaker and close the lid.

Select "French" setting, choose crust color and start!

Bread Machine Week!

I got my bread machine out this weekend to make fabulous breadsticks.

And now that it is out, I am going to put it to work.

So I have declared this week "Bread Machine Week!" And with our frigid weather, the wonderful scent of baking bread is the perfect thing to be stuck inside with!

I have one loaf in the machine now. I plan to do another tonight. And so on and so on.

I will post the successful recipes as I go! Won't you share your best ones as well? Please?!

Heavenly Soft Breadsticks

Chicken Marinara was on the menu last night and nothing goes better with that than breadsticks. So I went on a search for easy, soft breadsticks. And Recipezaar delivered again.

I used my bread machine to make the dough and subbed all-purpose flour for the bread flour and they were perfect! Very soft and delicious!

I would love to try these as dessert breadsticks with cinnamon sugar on top!

Quick Soft Breadsticks

Ingredients
1 cup warm water
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup oil
3 cups bread flour
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions
Make dough using your favorite method- bread machine, mixer or by hand.

Roll out into a 10x12 inch rectangle.

Cut into strips about 3/4 inch wide. (I would also cut them in half as they ended up very long.)

Give each strip a twist and place on a greased cookie sheet.

Let rise for at least 20 minutes or more if you have time.

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.

Brush with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese.

What's for Dinner in January?

I actually have my monthly menu figured out on the first day of the month!

Nothing too exciting, but here's what we're having for dinner this month...

Broiled Salmon
Chicken Marinara
French Dip
Pan-Seared Oven-Roasted Pork Chops
Spaghetti
Chicken Chili
Steak Soft Tacos
Pizza Pockets
Twice Baked Potatoes
Honey-Glazed Chicken Stir Fry
Steak - mmm, Steak
Chicken Tacos
Ham
Joanie's Chili
Chipotle Chicken Citrus Salad
Garlic Brisket
Lasagna
Cornflake Chicken
Brinner - Breakfast for dinner, that is
Homemade Pizza
Apple-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

What's on your menu?