Cardamom Tea Bread

Yield: 3 mini-loaves

I like using mini-loaf pans to make and share my baked goods. This “tea bread” gets its name from the instant tea in the mix, which lends a nice, distinctive flavor. I used loquats in my version, which are small, orange (when ripe), tangy, and juicy fruits that I have growing in my yard. This recipe would also be delicious using kumquats or apricots as a substitute for the loquats. Note: If you make muffins with this recipe, you will need to prepare the pan with non-stick cooking spray or use muffin cups. You will also need to adjust the cooking time.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups loquats, stemmed, quartered, seeded
• 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons instant iced tea powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple in its own juice
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped*

Procedure:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a food processor, puree the loquats for 2-3 minutes and set the puree aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, use a whisk to mix the flour, tea powder, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt.
4. In a large mixing bowl with a whisk (or use a mixer), thoroughly combine the sugar and oil. Add the eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing between additions.  Add the vanilla, pineapple, and fruit puree; mix well.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix just to combine. Fold in the walnuts.
6. Divide the batter evenly among 3 mini-loaf pans and set them on a baking sheet. Bake them for approximately 40 minutes, until golden, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out with small crumbs on it.  Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on a cooling rack.

*To toast walnuts, place them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes.