Lately, I've gotten into the habit of baking my own bread. It always send a little odd going to the store and spending 3 or 4 dollars on something so simple, and I've always wanted to try it, so about a month ago, I gave it a shot.

I was surprised that I didn't need to do any substitutions, but I suppose that bread would be one of the first things people would figure out, even if it were a milk our eggs heavy recipe. I was inspired by Minecraft, which I am currently enthralled by.  I will probably have to write about that separately, but the important part was the pride I felt when I finally figured out how to craft bread to survive in the game.

Here's the recipe:

 Simple Wheat Bread

• 1 packet active dry yeast


• 2 1/2 cups warm water


• 2 tablespoons olive oil


• 1/4 cup sugar (or honey)


• 2 cups whole wheat flour


• 2 cups bread flour


• 1 cup oats




• 3/4 c. ground (in food processor)


• 1/4 c. whole




• 2 teaspoons salt


• 3 tablespoons vital wheat gluten

1. Combine the sugar, water and yeast in a small bowl, let them sit and do their thing for 10 minutes or so, and assemble the dry ingredients while you wait!
2. Blend 3/4 of the cup of oats.
3. Mix whole wheat flour, oil, gluten, 1 c. bread flour, all of the oats, and salt in a big bowl.
4. Add the yeast to the dry ingredients and mix.  Add in the last cup of bread flour - the dough should be sticky but hold together.
5. Let rise 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough, separate into two equal pieces, put into oiled bread pans, and allow to rise another hour.
7. Bake in preheated oven for a half hour at 350 Fahrenheit for a light crust, 450 F for a dark crust.
8. Remove loaves from bread pan and place on cooling rack.
9. Wait for it...
10. Enjoy bread.