Wow, I’m finally getting to my first post of the new year. I can’t believe it’s 2011!
Every year I eager anticipate the holidays, to a bit of an extreme. I just love everything about the holiday time! The lights, the music, the food, family, wrapping presents… it’s just the best. Unfortunately, once the new year rolls around we’re just left with winter. Dreary, boring winter. Blah.
To counter the dark and the drizzle, here’s a healthy, hearty quick bread that is delicious and sure to perk up a wintery afternoon.
I’ve gotten really terrible with quinoa. Whenever I make it, there always seems to be some that’s left loitering around in my fridge with nothing to do. This quick bread uses some cooked quinoa to add protein and substance to this lightly-sweetened bread.
Cherry Almond Quinoa Bread
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup organic sugar
1 1/2 teas. baking powder
1/2 teas. baking soda
1/4 teas. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. milk of choice
1/3 cup mild oil
1/2 teas. almond extract (optional)
1/4 teas. vanilla extract (increase if not using almond)
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour a standard sized loaf pan.
In a small bowl combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the quinoa, milk, oil and extracts. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in two batches until just mixed. Gently mix in the chopped almonds, cherries and chocolate chips.
Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean (no batter, but okay if crumbs stick to the toothpick). Let bread cool in pan, on a cooling rack, for 30 minutes before serving.
Yields: 10-12 slices
What a fantastic idea! I really need to get more protein into my diet and this is such a delightful way to do so! Thanks!! And Happy New Year!
Ooooh, good idea! I have some leftover quinoa hanging in my fridge right now. 🙂 I love that tea towel!
Thanks, Bianca! My stepmom has a sewing machine capable of digital embroidery and she made me a whole set of them for Christmas. They are so cute!
Quinoa and chocolate – what a great idea.
I’ll try it tonight as I’ve just finished your “You are my sunshine loaf”.
Yay!
Glad to hear from you, Kris! I was thinking of you lately and wondering how you were doing.
That bread sounds terrific! I can’t wait to try it, and yet… it’ll have to wait a bit: I’ve promised my gentleman friend that we’d bake your Chocolate Stout Bread tonight. We have the perfect stout for it: a local microbrewery’s cocoa-vanilla stout (it’s amazing!) – I’m sure it will be delicious!
I’ve seen a few breads with quinoa in them. I’d really like to try it, or maybe make a few substitutions for this bread because I don’t have quinoa right now (sad, right? My leftovers just get eaten!) but the flavors sound delicious. Dried cherries are so good.
Happy New Year Kris!
Courtney
Looks really good Kris! I’ve been in a real baking mood lately, I’ll have to see if I can hold myself back from eating all the quinoa and actually having some leftovers.
The bread turned out great. Nice (healthier) alternative to cake.
Everyone loved it. It’s a keeper.
I’m glad to hear it!
This bread is delicious — I am making my second loaf today, as soon as my quinoa cools. Thanks for the recipe!
Yay! I’m glad you like it so much! It really is quite tasty!