Catholic Recipe: Herbed Oatmeal Pan Bread

This golden pan bread is especially good with a steaming bowl of homemade soup.

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, combine boiling water and oats; cool to 110-115 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, butter, salt, egg, oat mixture and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough of remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Punch dough down and press evenly into a greased 9 x 13 pan. With a very sharp knife, cut diagonal lines 1-1/2 inches 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.

Redefine pattern by gently poking along cut lines with 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.