Quick Breads

I like Quick breads because … well… they’re quick.  They are also versatile, which I like just as well.  I can serve them with dinner, I can pawn the sweeter ones off as a snack, and the recipe frequently makes more than one loaf so I can send one to work with Rick.  If you’re keeping track, that’s not just win/win…that’s win/win/win. 

 

Almond Poppy Bread

Almond Poppy Muffins

The other reason I like quick breads is because yeast and I have never gotten along.  We have a hate/hate relationship.  All yeast breads take time and patience, working and kneading, thought, and effort.  I’ve tried a number of times but succeeded only once with a challah bread and again many years later with an oatmeal bread.  But rarely does yeast choose to cooperate with me.  Sounds like my kids.  Oh, so that’s where she’s going with this!

Years ago this state decided to no longer be the only state without a “Safe-Haven” law.  The laws are meant to allow overwhelmed new parents a safe place, usually a hospital, to leave a baby they are unable to care for.  It’s supposed to be an option to abandoning an infant in an unsafe way.  But here’s what this state did:  Instead of writing this law to cover newborns, this state’s law was written for minors. 

Are you one of those people who believe that things in life happen for a reason?  Well the State in which I never expected to live suddenly made it legal to drop off kids up to age 19 at a hospital, no questions asked.  How’s that for kismet. And don’t think I wasn’t tempted.  Many a time.  You could even say daily.

Months later the state changed the law and it no longer included all minors.  So much for the quick way.  I missed my window… or dodged a bullet.

 I’ve been reading a lot about yeast lately.  I think I understand it a little better now.  It’s not so much that I hadn’t tried enough, or hadn’t tried hard enough.  Sometimes, no matter what you try, how many different things you try, how many people you get to help you try, you fail.  But here's the thing:  You may be losing battles, but all is not lost as long as you’re still in the war.  Because, lets face it, quick isn't always your best option.  And that one challah so many years ago was proof that it was possible that I could conquer the yeast beast.  Just like with those darn kids, it seems I’m going to pick myself up, dust myself off, and have another go at it.

My home-made Challah, circa 1992

Recipe also posted to Moore or Less Cooking blog.

 

Almond Poppy Muffins (or Bread) with Lemon Drizzle

                                     ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe


Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups skim milk                               2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp almond extract                          1 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil                                              1 1.5 oz container of poppy seeds

1 egg                                                     1 Tbsp baking powder

                                                                             1 tsp salt

                                                         

Drizzle:  Wisk together 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp water and ½ cup powdered sugar (Opt: yellow food coloring).

Directions:

*Grease 48 mini muffin cups.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

* Mix together dry ingredients (second column above).  Add in wet ingredients (first column).  Stir briefly only, just to incorporate.

*Divide batter up into the muffin cups, filling all the way.

*Bake for approx. 15 minutes, until top springs back to the touch.

*Run a knife carefully around each muffin to loosen and pop out of tins.

* Let cool, then mix drizzle ingredients and drizzle over top of muffins.

To Make it as a Bread:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a loaf pan.

*Mix ingredients as specified above.

*Pour into loaf pan and bake for approx. 55 mins or until top springs back to the touch.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.

*Remove from pan. Let cool slightly till warm.  Slice.

*Mix topping ingredients and drizzle topping over the loaf, gently moving the slices to let some drip between slices.