Daddy's Oatmeal Bread

My dad makes the best bread I've ever tasted- it's thick crumb is rich wtih molasses, orange juice, oats, yeast and love.  The thin crust allows it to toast up quickly and slide down my gullet with ease.  He makes it for holidays and on special request, and he has a special ceramic bowl that he found in the house in which he now lives.  The bread is akin to Proust's Madeleine or Pixar's final scene in Ratatouille- all elements of this bread bring forth memories and rememberances of times past that are sweet and soothing.

When my parents divorced, my dad made the bread on a regular basis.  Carefully kneading and rising the dough to create a splendid bread to nourish himself and his daughters, enthusiastically picking at the raw dough and buttering the finished warm slices.  In my own times of challenge and change, I find myself going back to the familiar act of kneading, rising, and caring for the little buns in the oven.  The recipe is simple, nearly foolproof, and hearty. 

Here it is, for all dear readers to replicate at your leisure.  It is best in the winter, but the summer warms our homes to sufficiently serve as great incubators.

Daddy's Oatmeal Bread
 yields 2 loaves
1 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 water
2 envelopes yeast
6 cups flour

In a large bowl, mix oatmeal, salt, molasses, and shortening.  In a separate small bowl or container, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of lukewarm warm water.

Boil orange juice and water and add to oatmeal mixture and combine well.  Add yeast and combine gently.  Slowly begin to mix in flour, a cup or two at a time until well incorporated.  Prepare a lightly floured surface for kneading.

Turn bread dough out onto surface and knead for about 10 minutes.  Transfer to a clean, warm bowl, cover and allow to rise (it should double, about an hour or 2).  Knead again and shape for pans- place in pans and allow to rise again.

Bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes.  Enjoy.

Tip: allow to rise in a calm, warm place- in the oven with the light on, for example, is a great place.  Avoid disturbing the rising bread as it needs calm to rise.