The Possibilities are Endless

While working this week, my boss handed me a recipe out of Food Network Magazine
It is a MIX & MATCH QUICK BREAD RECIPE.
She made Zucchini, Dried Cranberry, Bread with Vanilla Bean Glaze.
The result was... Absolutely Delicious!
Check it out!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/mix-and-match-quick-bread/index.html

Create your perfect loaf of quick bread: This customizable recipe leads to thousands of possibilities!



1. Choose a Flavor
Prepare 1 cup fruit or vegetables (one kind).

*Pear, shredded and squeezed dry

*Apple, shredded and squeezed dry

*Banana, mashed

*Carrot, shredded

*Zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry

2. Pick Your Mix-Ins
Choose up to 1 3/4 cups total of the following ingredients (use no more than 3/4 cup nuts). Toast and chop any nuts; chop any large dried fruit.

*Walnuts

*Pecans

*Almonds

*Hazelnuts

*Pistachios

*Dried cherries

*Dried cranberries

*Dried currants

*Raisins

*Dried figs

*Dried apricots

*Pitted dried dates

*Rolled oats

*Chocolate chips

*Sweetened shredded coconut
3. Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter one 9-by-5-inch loaf pan or three 6-by-3-inch mini pans.
4. Make the Batter

Mix 1 1/4 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon each baking powder and salt, and 1/2 teaspoon each baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl; add your dry mix-ins (from step 2). In a medium bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1/2 cup cooled melted butter or vegetable oil, 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon citrus zest (optional). Stir your fruit or vegetables (from step 1) into the egg mixture, then fold into the dry mixture until just combined.
5. Bake the Loaf

Spread the batter in the prepared pan(s). Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes for a standard loaf, 35 to 40 minutes for mini loaves. Cool 30 minutes in the pan(s) on a rack, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely.
6. Make a Glaze

Prepare a glaze, pour on the cooled bread and let set, 15 to 20 minutes.

Chocolate

Whisk 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

Vanilla Bean

Whisk 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon milk and the seeds from 1 vanilla bean.

Brown Butter

Brown 3 tablespoons butter over low heat; cool slightly. Whisk with 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. Use immediately.

Citrus

Whisk 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon each milk and citrus juice, and 1 teaspoon citrus zest.

Cream Cheese

Whisk 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons milk and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Make these in advance: You can store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Photographs by Charles Masters