Hello and thank you so much for your kind words and inspiration. I was so moved by all your stories and ideas. I'm so looking forward to hearing more from you.
On Sunday I had a couple of friends coming over for a visit and wanted to serve something warm and yummy. And I wanted to use things I already had. I went to my pantry and found a can of cranberries that had not been used for thanksgiving. I've never made cranberry bread before so I just followed my banana bread recipe and subbed in the cranberries. It worked really well and I think you could substitute any canned or fresh mashed fruit that you have. The best part is that I didn't have to go to the market for anything extra. I know my pantry looks bare, but it really is well stocked with basics like flours, sugars, vanilla and boxed non dairy milks. I was super happy with the way this came out.
1/2 cup soy milk or almond milk
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups banana or other mashed fruit
3 Tablespoons oil
1/2 cup chopped nuts
In a large bowl mix the milk and vinegar and let stand a minute or two.
In a medium sized bowl mix the next 5 ingredients.
Then add everything into the milk mixture, folding in the nuts last.
Bake at 350 degrees for an hour and 15 minutes in a greased loaf pan. Maybe a little longer as the dough is pretty wet. I kept checking with a toothpick to see if it was done.
I actually split the dough into 3 small loaf pans instead of just one normal sized pan.
It still took an hour and 15 minutes for it to bake through. But now I have 2 left that I can give as gifts.
*Also before I put the pans in the oven I sprinkled a little mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon on the top of each loaf.
Chatting with my friends over cups of hot tea and cake was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I didn't worry about putting out a big spread, that kind of thinking will actually keep me from having friends over. This was just right. x
Looks festive and I am sure it was delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's so soothing having tea with good friends.
Yesterday I made weight watchers cranberry chutney from their website ANC a fruit bread from the site Joy of Baking. Mostly fruit and nuts with a scant amount of flour and I was very skeptical....it worked well and I have cut it into three pieces for my Xmas baking gifts too!
I never would have guessed that cranberries could sub in for banana! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea. I make banana bread often and never thought of substituting another fruit. I bet blueberries would be good too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure afternoon tea with you would be an absolute treat. if I don't have any fruit to sub, I use jelly or jam...works perfect also.
ReplyDeleteHope December is treating you well....talk soon. ♥
Looks delicious, Janet. I have that same tray.
ReplyDeleteS
xo
P.S. Don't be so stingy with the pics next time ;)
It sounds perfect and simple. I never think to do that. We always meet out for coffee, which of course costs money!! Loving the idea of replacing the banana with cranberries. I've never been a banana fan. I need to use more of what's in my pantry!! Have a lovely week. xoJennifer
ReplyDeleteLove this Janet - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI must give this recipe a try. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!! xx
ReplyDeleteI am so happy this recipe doesn't have eggs. That is one part about being vegan that is easy - I hate eggs. Even in baked goods - I can taste the egg and do not like them. So thanks!
ReplyDeleteYum. I baked cranberry bread for gifts one year and they were cumbersome; like fruitcake made of lead or something.
ReplyDeleteHad tea and a cookie with a friend today and wound up staying five hours; we've been out of touch for too long. I was looking around her house and she upgraded to a nicer home just over 15 years ago but she didn't go out and buy a bunch of new stuff. She still has the dining room set they bought in the 1970s. They would wait to buy something of quality, or have something handmade (they have a carpenter friend). It's all held up very well. I guess what I'm trying to say is that she never rushed to fill up a space...didn't let anybody pressure her. So, her home after all these years is comfortable, lived-in, not terribly cluttered at all; cat clawed the sofa a few years ago so she just throws a comfy "afghan" over it. It was all so familiar and cozy because she's kept the things that mean the most. She has a nice-quality Christmas village she sets out on fake snow; a couple of stuffed bear-Santas on a chair. It was just enough. It just hit me that somehow she always got it right and I didn't realize it til now. Same philosophy for our snack; it was enough. I feel like I'm re-learning the word "enough" in many areas of life.
It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Interior design ideas
ReplyDeleteDon,t you love Blue Willow, I have a teapot just like yours. I think there is a photo of it on one of my blog posts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Janet ! I am still loving the AA jeans and enjoying your posts. They are very thoughtful and creative. Loved meeting you and keeping in touch with you and other garden tour friends. What a special and interesting experience that was! Best wishes for 2014 and keep those blogs coming. You are special! Xx
ReplyDeleteannie it was a true joy meeting you and everyone else on the tour of a lifetime. glad you are still loving the jeans, i am too.
DeleteYour recipes are always delicious. I am not much of a cook, but have made your bread recipe and now will try this one. What a great way to use leftover cranberries. I made two boxed breads ( not the healthiest) for Thanksgiving and my family enjoyed them. It will be nice to serve them a healthier version.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Thank you for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet! thanks for posting this recipe. I just made it today and had a slice with my afternoon coffee. It was really really moist and delicious. I added a quarter cup of organic cinnamon applesauce (my batter seemed a little dry - must have measured too much flour!lol) It was so good and will be put with my other "it's a keeper" recipes. Have a peaceful day - jeannette
ReplyDeletejeannette thank you for your input and i'm so glad you liked it. your applesauce addition sounds so good!
DeleteI should have said I used bananas and not cranberries!
ReplyDeleteTea at your house sounds lovely. I've found that if you don't overdo things and overwhelm your guests, they are much more likely to return the invitation.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, this sounds delicious and thanks for sharing the recipe! Lately I have been experimenting with vegan baking and will try this.
ReplyDeleteWhich vinegar did you use...apple cider vinegar or white vinegar?
i used apple cider but i'm sure any vinegar would work.:)
DeleteI've also substituted applesauce for bananas before and also find applesauce very often being used as 'egg replacer' in vegan baking recipes.
ReplyDeleteFor me this is one of the best ways to safe money at home - cooking from your pantry. I also keep different dry ingredients and frozen vegetables in stock.
Putting out a big spread for friends coming by can very often backfire - you get stressed and in the end it's always too much anyway
xo Mireille