October 13, 2008

Zucchini Bread


I have been on the hunt for 'food fillers'. Max never seems to be satisfied with the food I give him (it's not that he doesn't like it, it is just never enough!). I have put off snacks so they won't ruin their appetites for dinner but now it is getting out of hand and I don't want them filling up on heavily processed snacks- however I also don't want to be or have the time to bake something every day for the little princes.
Nic suggested some bread ( I already feel like we should be buying shares in a bakery!) but then I thought about zucchini bread and thus began my search for a good recipe. The internet is very useful for a quick search as I am sure you all know. After looking at about 5 different recipes I decided on one- due to the fact it made two loaves! It is very quick and easy and I thought it was a winner, however when I ate some it was really sweet and not a good choice for an everyday snack so I have decided to cut the sugar back and add whole wheat flour. The results were great. Boys shovel it down and don't bother me until dinner and I feel better knowing they are eating a little vegetable before dinner- so be it it's mixed with sugar but that is OK with me. I think the breakfast cereal has more sugar than the bread!

Zucchini Bread (my version)
2 cups All purpose flour (plain flour)
1 cup Whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon- ground
1 tsp all spice
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 & 3/4 cups sugar (other recipe 2 & 1/4 cups)
3 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup nuts (walnuts or almonds)

Preheat oven to 325 (165) and grease two 8x4 inch pans or there about.
Sift flours, salt, baking soda, baking powder and spices into a medium bowl- set aside.
In a large size bowl- beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until well combined and thick.
Add dry ingredients to wet and beat until well combined.
Stir in zucchini and nuts then pour into pre-greased pans.
Bake for approx 1 hour or until the skewer comes out clean. One of my dishes took an additional 20 minutes so it does vary.
Cool for 5 minutes before taking out of pan and then leave until cold. I put one in the freezer and it freezes really well.
Enjoy!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find banana bread really tasty and exciting to eat. The boys could have their fruit and veg and not even know! Look forward to trying the zucchini bread on the weekend.njhix

Tarsh said...

I love the idea of keeping bread ends to make the bread crumbs, I don't like the supermarket crumbs they are boring.
I also love the way you mix up the different salad contents, mine are always the same maybe with a different herb.
I will definitely try the port recipe tomorrow night and let you know how I go.

Janette said...

Thanks Mil...Thomas has a great appetite and always looking for healthy alternative snacks....Zucchini Bread Fantastic!