Oatmeal Knots

An afternoon spent making these delicious rolls the old fashioned way will produce tasty, uniquely-shaped rolls that are sure to be a hit.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup regular oats

1/2 cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 cups boiling water

1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)

1/3 cup warm water (100° to 110°)

1/4 cup flax seed meal

3 cups whole wheat flour (about 14 1/4 ounces)

1+1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces), divided

Cooking spray

1 teaspoon water

1 large egg

1 tablespoon regular oats

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1.  Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, and add 2 cups boiling water, stirring until well blended. Cool to room temperature.

2.  Dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes.

3.  Add yeast mixture to oats mixture; stir well. Stir in flax seed meal.

4.  Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Gradually add 3 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour to oats mixture; stir until a soft dough forms.

5.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); adding enough of remaining all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).

6.  Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into the dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down, and let rest for 5 minutes.

7.  Divide dough in half; cut each half into 12 equal portions. Working with one portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent from drying), shape each portion into an 8-inch rope. Tie each rope into a single knot; tuck top end of rope under bottom edge of roll. Place each roll on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray; let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

8.  Preheat oven to 400°.

9.  Combine 1 teaspoon water and egg in a small bowl; brush egg mixture over rolls. Combine 1 tablespoon oats, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds; sprinkle evenly over rolls.

10.  Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: 24 rollS CALORIES 138 (18% from fat); FAT 2.7g (sat 0.9g,mono 0.7g,poly 0.9g); IRON 1.4mg; CHOLESTEROL 13mg; CALCIUM 22mg; CARBOHYDRATE 25.6g; SODIUM 160mg; PROTEIN 4.3g; FIBER 2.9g
Cooking Light, JANUARY 2008

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