Here is a bread that tastes good and is good for you. At least, several doctors recommend that you include oat bran in your diet. Oatmeal bread is a delicious way to do it. I have been making variations of this recipe for several years. This one is at present my favorite. Note: Do not use quick or instant oatmeal.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups water
1 cup regular oatmeal
2 T butter
1/2 tsp white sugar
2 tsp. dry yeast
1 cup buttermilk
1 T salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 to 5 cups all purpose flour

PROCEDURE:

Put 1/2 cup of warm water (105 to 115 degrees) into a small bowl. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar and two teaspoons of dry yeast. Allow to proof.

Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a rapid boil in a saucepan and stir in the oatmeal. Once the oatmeal is boiling again, reduce the heat and cook for about 3 minutes until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat, stir in the butter, and pour into a large bowl. Stir in the buttermilk, salt and brown sugar and allow the mixture to cool if it seems warmer than 115 degrees. Stir in two cups of all purpose flour, then add the yeast and beat until smooth. Add more flour a cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Turn the dough on to a well-floured board and use a spatula to begin the kneading by turning the dough until the surface is floured. The dough will be sticky to start with. Knead well until the dough becomes pliable and elastic. Add flour to the board as necessary. You will see and feel the oatmeal as you knead. Kneading this dough will take 8 to 10 minutes. Grease your bread bowl with butter or shortening and put the ball of dough in it. Turn the ball to cover the surface with the shortening and cover the bowl with a damp tea towel.

Put in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and remove the dough to the lightly floured bread board and knead for about 1 minute. Divide in half and form two loaves. Grease two regular bread pans (about 9" x 4 1/2" x 3") and put a loaf in each. Cover with a damp towel and allow the loaves to rise until nearly even with the top of the pans. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Put the pans on a lower shelf and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The bread should sound hollow when you tap on it.

Let cool (at least a little while) then slice and enjoy!