Did Anyone Say Dinner Bread?

Ever since I have made my first bread a few weeks ago, I have been practicing. For a recent dinner gathering, I decided to try my hand at making up my own recipe! This is a feta cheese bread. It's very flavourful and is a wonderful companion at the dinner table with any dish that has a sauce to soak up! The left over also makes for very good seasoned bread crumbs.

Rustic Feta Whole-wheat Bread

1/4 cup barely warm water
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm milk @ 100F
2 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, divided
1 cup quick oats
1 package of Apetina feta cheese (150g)
1/2 tsp of Italian herb

1. Proof yeast with water and sugar. While waiting, grind quick oats in a blender and combine with warm milk, egg, and the olive oil from the feta cheese package.
2. Mix in 1 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour then knead in about 1/2 cup of flour until an elastic dough forms. Rest every 20 minutes. Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and wait for dough to rise until double. Punch down.
3. Use the remaining flour to dust the work surface and knead in the feta cheese until the dough is smooth. The dough would become more moist as the salt in the cheese would cause water to be released from the dough.Place back int he bowl, cover and wait until it doubles again.
4. Preheat the oven to 450F. Place a pan of water on the bottom rack. Shape into a boule by pulling the dough in from the side, pinch to form a ball. Turn the dough over and place on a baking pan with the seam side down. Dust with flour cover and wait until it doubles.
5. Turn the oven down to 425F. Spray some water on the inside of the oven, wait for 30 seconds, then spray some more water. Slash the top of the bread with a sharp knife or a lame. Bake for 35-40 minutes.