Bread and Butter

Today I am looking for the best bread recipe I can find.  As an aspiring baker (in my dreams) I think it's a good idea to start with something as basic as bread.  Once I can master a good, hearty, healthy loaf of bread, I can go anywhere.  It's so simple, but at the same time so complex.  How do those European bakeries get it so perfect?  And why is that so hard to find in the U.S.?  At least, in Stillwater, Oklahoma I have yet to find a quality bakery.  I firmly believe that every town should have a local bakery to supply the people with their daily bread. 
But back to the bread.  I want to make a simple, everyday bread.  Probably wheat, maybe with oats or seeds. 
Anyone know of a simple, delicious, from-scratch bread recipe?

After doing a little research a while back, I did find a couple of bakeries in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that offer some fresh and delectable baguettes and croissants, as well as some sweet treats and pastries.

Stonehorse Market, Utica Square, Tulsa
The Stonehorse Market and Cafe are a side-by-side, charming and quaint, yet sophisticated shop and restaurant.  They sell many wonderful ingredients foreign to the typical grocery store, like lentils, dried shiitake mushrooms, fresh mozarella, a great salad bar, and, of course, beautiful breads.  I've stopped by this market on several trips to Tulsa to bring home a big brown bag of indulgence.  The baguettes, challah, croissant, and raisin walnut loaf are wonderful.

I have to rave a bit here.  A few months back, just as the Christmas decorations and carols began adorning the calm buzz of Utica Square, I celebrated the end of a one-month, intensive weekend class with lunch at Stonehorse Cafe.  I ate the deliciously fresh and flaky rolls, a divine cup of crab bisque, a fresh tossed salad, and a glass of wine on the outdoor patio, watching the shoppers pass by and basking in the sunshine of an unseasonably warm afternoon -- and all for under fifteen dollars!  It was magnificent, the perfect reward for my hard work.

Ingrid's Kitchen, Oklahoma City
I have not actually made the trek to Ingrid's yet, but I am planning to treat myself to a trip there in the near future.  It appears to be full of German tradition and grandmothers' recipes. 
I want to meet Ingrid and listen to her stories of the Old Country.  I know, I get carried away...
The website is certainly tempting.  Who wouldn't want to indulge in an authentic German roll or sweetbread?

Ingrid's was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," so you know it's good! 

Persimmon Hill Farm, Stillwater
As I spend the majority of my time in Stillwater, I've tried many of the local bakers' fare.  Persimmon Hill sells their bread, jams, and other treats at the Stillwater Farmer's Market every week year round. (I will include more about the Stillwater Farmer's Market in many posts to come.)  They grow many of their own ingredients, such as the produce that they sell whole and that goes into their zucchinni bread, pumpkin bread, jellies, and many other divine creations.

If you find yourself craving bread in the culinary mecca that is Oklahoma (I joke), I highly recommend you try one or all of these fabulous gems.

Until then, I'll let you know how my homemade bread quest ensues...
To offer suggestions, comments, tips, or critiques, send an e-mail to eatwriterun7@gmail.com.