MONDAY RECIPE POST - FRESH STRAWBERRY BREAD

I made this on Monday, February 11th, 2019.  I had strawberries left in the fridge and needed to use them up.  The recipe came from Lemon Tree Dwelling and its host is Cathy.  You can see her recipe here.  I recommend going to her blog for the photos alone, and you will see lots of delicious recipes.  Thank you for this one Cathy, it was delicious.

Fresh Strawberry Bread - makes 1 loaf

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 cups fresh sliced strawberries

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; fold in fresh strawberries.

Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and completely set.

Cool slightly then loosen sides of loaf from pan.  Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.  

We enjoyed this very much, it was yummy. A few observations:

I had to bake the bread longer than the time above.  When tested after 60 minutes, it was uncooked in the middle and was still pale on the top.  I added 15 extra minutes.  (My oven always seems to need more cooking time for most recipes.  You might want to check cooking time with your own to prevent over-cooking.)

My batter seemed too stiff and dry. I added splashes of milk until I felt it was the right consistency, and similar to other quick breads I have made.  

I wish I had thought to add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.  We missed those nuts we usually put in these breads.  

It came out of the pan without a problem after loosening the edges, as suggested in Cathy's recipe.  

It was a very easy recipe.  Best of all it tasted great.

The long serving plate was a gift from my daughter-in-law last year.  

It actually comes with a dip bowl but I only needed the plate this time.  The bowl has two pieces, one for the dip which fits into a container that has an opening for a tea light, to keep whatever you have above nice and warm.  This would go great for my spinach and artichoke dip recipe.

She buys the cutest gifts for birthdays and Christmas, always so thoughtfully given.  I love the little bird among the flowers, and now for the owl.  

Knowing how much I love birds, last Christmas one of her gifts to me was a ball of birdseed on a string in the shape of an owl.  You can see it in the photo above as it peaks through the cellophane wrapper.  I haven't put it outside yet because I have been enjoying it and didn't want to see it disappear too quickly.  Soon the birds will get their feast.  Very cute, and with thanks to my sweet daughter-in-law, not only for her thoughtful gifts but also for the fact that she brings a lot of happiness to our family.