Herbed Oatmeal Pan Bread

Name: Herbed Oatmeal Pan Bread
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups boiling water; 1 cup old-fashioned oats; 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast; 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 1/4 cup sugar; 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten; 4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour; TOPPING:; 1/4 cup butter, melted, divided; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 25 min. YIELD: about 2-1/2 dozen.

This beautiful, golden pan bread is especially good with a steaming bowl of homemade soup. The oats give it a distinctive flavor, and we really like the herb and Parmesan cheese topping.—Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup old-fashioned oats
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons salt
1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
TOPPING:
1/4 cup butter, melted, divided
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine boiling water and oats; cool to 110°-115°. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, butter, salt, egg, oat mixture and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
3. Punch dough down and press evenly into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. With very sharp knife, cut diagonal lines 1-1/2 in. apart completely through dough. Repeat in opposite direction, creating a diamond pattern. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Redefine pattern by gently poking along cut lines with a knife tip. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and garlic powder. Brush bread with remaining butter; sprinkle with cheese mixture. Bake for 5 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 5 minutes longer. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 107 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.