Yesterday a few of us had a deep fry vs air fry lunch. Cherrie even deep fried crumbed cheese (cheddar and Camembert) and may I tell you, whilst it was all delicious, there is such a thing as too much fried food. After sipping gallons of green tea and being as active as possible after lunch, I decided I would bake something on the healthier side for Sunday breakfast.
My aunty had brought me back some dried cherries from America a while ago, and I have been wanting to try this recipes for ages. It was so easy to make, a recipe that uses 1-2 bowls, which I never think is a problem when you are the one doing the washing up.
You could easily substitute the dried cherries for dried craisins or pomegranate. The loaf was delicious on it’s on as well as drizzled with honey. Lately it’s so cold in my house our honey sets, so I have to sit it in a hot water bath to warm it up!
Apple, Dried Cherry and Almond Loaf
Bill Granger
50 g rolled oats
300 ml Milk
240 g Self Raising Flour you can use wholemeal
1 teaspoon Baking powder
125 g Dried Cherries
50 g diced dried apple
75 g soft brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
3 tablespoons Honey
1 lightly beaten Egg
3 tablespoons roughly chopped Almonds plus 2 tablespoons extra
1. Put the oats in a bowl, pour the milk over them and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4).
3. Lightly grease and line a 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) loaf tin with baking paper.
4. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and stir in the rolled oats, dried fruit, sugar, cinnamon, honey, egg and almonds. Mix together well.
5. Spoon the mixture into the tin, level the top and sprinkle with the extra almonds. Bake the loaf for 45 minutes, or until it is golden brown on top and cooked through.
6. Leave it to cool a little in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Toast and serve with ricotta and honey.
Makes 12 slices.
