Brown Bread
When it was still warm from the oven, Meredith took a bite and declared it "the best thing I ever put in my mouth."
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. oats
2 Tbsp. shortening
2 tsp. salt
1 pkg (1 Tbsp.) yeast
3/4 c. warm water
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. molasses
5 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. melted butter
Combine boiling water, oats, shortening, and salt. Cool to 110 degrees. (By the time you set it aside, do the next step and wait until it foams about an inch, it'll be cool enough) In a separate bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in the warm water. Add to oats. Add brown sugar, molasses, and 3 cups of flour. Mix well. Continue adding flour until a soft dough forms. Turn onto floured surface. Knead 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover and let rise one hour. Punch down dough and divide in half. Place each half in a greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Brush with butter. Cool on wire racks. Yields 2 loaves.
Texas Cornbread Sticks
1 c. yellow cornmeal (I used white and the world didn't end)
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 large egg
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Combine first five ingredients; make a well in center. Stir together buttermilk, butter, and egg. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Heat cast iron cornstick pans (you need two) in a 450 degree oven for 5 minutes or until hot. Remove pans from oven, brush lightly with oil. Spoon batter evenly into hot pans. Bake at 450 for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans immediately; cool slightly on wire racks.
Zucchini Bread
Step One:
3 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Step Two:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. shredded zucchini
1 c. chopped pecans
Mix ingredients for step one and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine eggs and sugar. Add other ingredients from step two one at a time. Add step one ingredients and mix. Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
