Shoveling snow, oatmeal bread, and the white chili of the day

There are few things better than waking up to 17" of snow like we did on Saturday. In fact, the only better thing would have been waking up to 17" of snow on a weekday, and wondering if the snow day dance really did work.

But when you are snowed in, you naturally turn to homey warm things. I know this because it seems all of my facebook friends were making soup, taking naps, cuddling in with a good book, or for the unfortunate few, shoveling out their driveways.

I figured if we were going to be in all day, the house better smell good, and at the first chance I had I whipped out one of my favorite recipes, Oatmeal Bread. (recipe follows.)

The house was smelling sweet, we all ate enough warm bread and butter to overbloat our stomachs, and I thought chili would be the perfect end to a long play session out in the snow. And there was no way we could not go in the snow-- it was a picture perfect afternoon.

When the forts were all built, the sledding hill completely tuckered us out, and the sun took its last look at the winter wonderland for the day, we all came inside. The children at something boxed and gross, but the rest of us dined on a concoction that I totally threw together with ingredients on hand (normally the best recipes!) because there was no way in the world anyone was going to brave going to the store.

Did I mention a city plow/salt truck got stuck in front of our house?

And with the drying clanging dry the coats, pants, hats, gloves, and socks, we ate chicken chili...

In a dutch oven, heat a little oil and cook together:

1.5 pounds diced chicken breasts

1 big ol' onion

a few jalepeno rings

Add:

2 cans cannelini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2- 1 cup salsa

2-3 gloves garlic, chopped

2 cups chicken broth

cumin, to taste

chili powder, to taste.

Put the lid on, turn it on low, and head out in the snow. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a box of tissues because depending on how many jalapenos you put it, this stuff will clean out your nose!

A rather fiery way to end a cold day with the warmth of a homey house.

Oatmeal Bread

1 cup rolled oats

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 cup molasses

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 cups boiling water

5 cups Bread Flour

1 tablespoon instant yeast

In a large mixing bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the oats, butter, salt, molasses, brown sugar and boiling water, and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. Mix in 2 cups of the flour and the yeast, and beat for 2 minutes, by electric mixer. Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour, mixing all the while, till a cohesive dough forms.Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured or lightly greased work surface, and knead to form a smooth, elastic dough, adding flour only as necessary to prevent unbearable sticking. Place the dough in lightly greased bowl, cover with damp towel, and let it rise till doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch down the dough, divide it in half, and shape each half into a log. Place the logs in two lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans, cover the pans, and let rise till doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes.