Oatmeal - Molasses Bread

After I cleaned out one of my closets the other day, I felt like making some bread. I used this recipe for some healthy oat bread. I used 4 cups of whole wheat flour, rather than the 3 cups white flour + 1 cup whole wheat called for in the recipe.  I also skipped the topping because I like to keep my egg usage to a minimum.

Baking With Whole Wheat Flour - After I baked my bread, I read on line that if you want to keep your bread 100% whole wheat you should use vital wheat gluten so that your loaves are not dense and flat.  Vital wheat gluten is super-concentrated gluten flour, and it really helps to give low-gluten doughs better structure. Add one tablespoon of vital wheat gluten for every 2-3 cups of flour in your recipe.

While I was kneading my whole wheat flour dough I did notice that the dough felt very hard. To make softer loaves, try letting the dough rest for about 20 minutes before kneading. This will give the flour time to absorb the water and soften the grains of whole wheat. There are some other ingredients that can be added to any recipe that also help make a softer texture: potato flakes (1/4 - 1/2 cup), honey (2-4 tablespoons), milk (replace some of the water), and butter (2-4 tablespoons) (all amounts are for a recipe making 2 loaves). [Source: www.thekitchn.com]

In my case, I didn't add any gluten and I did find the dough a little hard when kneading. In the end it turned out just fine and there was no compromise in the moistness or softness of the bread. I guess i got lucky since I didn't know any better *wink.

After the bread was baked I brushed some butter on the tops and laid the loaves on their sides to cool. This bread was very moist inside and the crust was not too hard or soft. It had just the right crunch.

• Portion size: 2 loaves, 12 slices each

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) boiling water
• 3/4 cups (175 mL) large-flake rolled oats
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) fancy molasses
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter, softened
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) warm water
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) active dry yeast
• 3 cups (750 mL) all purpose flour, (approx)
• 1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
• 1-3/4 tsp (9 mL) salt
• Topping
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) large-flake rolled oats

Preparation

In heat proof bowl, stir the first two ingredients together (boiling water with rolled oats) and let stand for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. When the rolled oats are absorbed stir in the molasses, butter and egg.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water and sprinkle in yeast.  Let stand until it is frothy (about 10 minutes).  Stir in oat mixture then add 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) of the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour and salt to form sticky dough.

Turn the mixture out onto floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, adding as much of the remaining flour as necessary. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough; divide in half. On floured surface, pat each half into 11- x 8-inch (28 x 20 cm) rectangle. Starting at narrow end, roll up into cylinder; pinch edge to seal. Fit into 2 greased 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pans. (Or shape each into round, stretching and pinching dough underneath to smooth top.) Cover with tea towel; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Topping: Brush loaves with egg; sprinkle with oats. Bake in centre of 375°F (190°C) oven until loaves sound hollow when tapped on bottoms, about 40 minutes. Let cool on racks.
Additional information : Bread Machine Variation for Dough Only:
Into pan of 2 lb (1 kg) bread machine, place (in order) molasses mixture, 1/2 cup (125 mL) water, sugar, salt, all of the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour and 1-1/4 tsp (6 mL) bread machine yeast. Select dough setting. Shape and bake as above.

Source : Canadian Living Magazine: February 2007

My decluttering project has been going very well. I don't think I've ever worked so hard for several straight days since I moved into my condo. In the last few days I've cleaned almost every nook and cranny in the apartment as I eliminated things. When you move things from dark corners and shift things around, it gives you an opportunity to spot clean and deep clean wherever necessary.  Much harder to do when you live in a small space and are just living your day-to-day life.

I continue with a bit of shopping and paperwork before I attend a few personal appointments, put up my Christmas decorations and attend a few Christmas parties.

I hope all of you are enjoying your lead up to Christmas.

Going, Going, Gone!

"When you have cleared all of your clutter,
you can be of greater service to those around you. "
Michael B. Kitson 

  "The more you have, the more you are occupied.
The less you have, the more free you are."
Mother Teresa

Hello dear friends, 

Decluttering may not be the most exciting activity but it is certainly an uplifting one.  I have managed to put together a huge bag of shoes, 3 large garbage bags of clothing and 2 medium size bags of magazines/books. These were all picked up by 1 person after posting an ad on the website for my local Freecycle chapter.  Within 2 and a half hours after posting on Sunday evening, I had my first response and she offered to take the entire lot. Starting at 6 a.m. the next morning I had 5 more takers.  This was great because it meant I had back up takers in case the first woman changed her mind.

I gladly give to the Goodwill but since I shop at the thrift stores myself, I often feel my local thrift stores charge way too much money.  It is getting rather ridiculous some of the prices they now ask which are often higher than purchasing brand new in a retail shop. For example, at one local thrift store today they wanted $16.00 for a small used, good condition Corningware roasting pan. Last night, on line, I found the same roasting pan as part of an 8 piece (4 different pots with lids) brand new, for $44. 95. If you do the math you can see that one set would cost under $12. a piece; clearly less than the used item. You can see what I mean by ridiculous prices. I digress but what I'm really trying to show is that the thrift stores in many cases do ask more than the retail stores especially when there is a big sale. This is very bad news for those people on low income that really need to buy second hand so I really like to give things away when I can find a willing receiver. I find the best way is to put an offer on my local chapter of Freecycle.

A woman who works with the down and out came to pick up these items. 

My next task after cleaning my bedroom closet was to reduce the number of products under my bathroom sink. Despite limiting what I've been buying in the toiletry department it seems I still have far more than I can properly accommodate or use.  Some of these items were gifts. I was happy to give them to a woman who works with women who live on the street, or who have a very low income.

Then came a quick survey of my foyer closet and the kitchen.   I found a Spring jacket and the new winter car coat (winter coat in the photo). I bought this coat many years ago while I was still working and for whatever reason I just never wore it. I also found a few little kitchen items that I didn't want to throw away.

A nice young woman sent her boyfriend to pick these items up.

A student is expected to pick up on Thursday for a charity.

I still have a lot of crafting items of all kinds too.  Once I execute some of my projects in the coming year, the stash will be reduced.  But I did manage to gather together quite a few balls of left over yarn and a couple sets of knitting needles.

 

Donated to an senior who teaches knitting.

The last thing I am sorting this week is papers. I don't know how far I'll get but I want to clear as much as I can before the end of the month. This is my least favourite job and that why I'm here at the computer looking for a distraction and taking a short break.  I don't have a shredder that takes large amounts of paper so I have been keeping the paper aside in a small tub so I can burn them.  I've been culling papers for what seems like forever but I can "see" the finish line in sight though it will still take awhile.



Most of you who have a lot of stuff that you haven't looked at in years will know that a true decluttering project takes plenty of time.  You have to go through things that have accumulated over years and years. I don't think I've ever undertaken such a massive decluttering project and perhaps it is because I used to move on a regular basis and that kept the clutter accumulation in check.

I find that in the early stage of decluttering I get rid of the obvious things I don't want or use.  But I don't always get rid of things I don't use (that is why I have clutter, lol). I keep things I know I will use down the line.  As time goes on, I reassess whether I will still use things and sometimes go through them two, three and four times, before I make my final decisions.

Part of my hesitation in getting rid of some things, especially craft items and books  is because I do not want to have to buy things again that I know I will need later. With clothing it is always easier to go through things and get rid of most things you no longer want or need.

What I'm trying to get to is a life of greater simplicity.  That is a little hard to do when you like to do crafts or read books.  Anyone who does crafts knows you have to have stock and supplies on hand. This is a challenge when you live in a small space.  Anyone who loves to read knows it is hard to pass up a book. These days I try to buy second hand or get things free. I only buy a book if I know I'm going to read it and then I pass it on. I have quite a few books so I shouldn't be buying any more.