Fingers Are For Burning

Hello Lovelies, how have you been?? Firstly I would like to apologize for being away for a long long time. Well a lot of things happened on personal front which kept me away from you. We moved country and setting up new place is a task in itself, isn’t it! Then finding a good school for Athena & Arnav also needed to be done, but they are happy and enjoying. With all these happenings I missed my little space and I missed you all so much, trying to get things on track but loving every bit of it. Hope to share delicious food and my life stories with you more often now. 

  

 

Last month we went berry picking at a farm in Warrenton NC where we picked up whole loads of these gorgeous blueberries & frooze most of them to use later in cakes and pies.  And one of recent visit to a Farmer’s Market we picked up some dried pale purplish English Lavender buds to make Earl Grey lavender ice cream. My pantry is smelling heaven with lavender as the aroma is pretty intoxicating. I seem to have a corner for this gorgeous herb, its calming effect just attracts me to it and you will find lavender all over my house in form of candles, and potpourri, even lavender scented soap. Got the herb to make earl grey lavender ice cream but as the tea time approached we craved for a cake. So, ice cream has taken a back seat and a super moist & delicious cake happened with those blue berries and lavender. With lavender in the air it is pure heaven!

We are a cake and baked goodies loving family and when they are healthy as these how can one say no. This time I did some healthy baking using whole wheat flour with no butter, no sugar, but then the question was how to sweeten it and I ended up using pure maple syrup. Here Olive oil and yogurt went in place of butter to keep the bread moist. And boy I must say the final product was one delicious bread with juicy blueberries, sweet and sublime taste of lavender in every bite. Lavender and blueberry is one match made in heaven, seriously you guys need to try this out. Little tip here before adding the dried herb to the batter, crush the dried lavender with mortar and pestle before as it helps release the essential oils and imparts more flavor. It was so moist and delicious that all gone in no time, need I say more. VK loved it so much and made it again for our breakfast the next morning. Happy family is one happy me. This gorgeous bread was baked in a 9” inch loaf pan from Lake Land. A heavy duty and sturdy bread pan which does the job well every time. I have most of my pans from them and I love them all. 

 

Now coming back to the cake, Lavender blueberry bread makes one perfect dessert which can be thoroughly enjoyed after dinner or maybe with friends over Hi Tea. A slice of this bread and glass of smoothie makes for a perfect start to the day, or simply enjoy with a steaming cup of Earl Grey Tea as I love. Endless possibilities to enjoy it with family and friends, so what are you waiting for go and do some guilt free baking now. Life would seem so much better.

Ingredients for Lavender Blueberry Bread

           100 grams whole wheat flour + 2 tsp

·        100 grams all purpose flour

·        2 large eggs at room temperature

·        60 ml regular or greek yogurt

·        80 ml canola oil or vegetable oil

·        ¾ th cup Pure Maple Syrup

·        2 tsp baking powder 
½ tsp baking soda

·        ¼ tsp salt

·        2 tsp vanilla extract

·        1/2 tsp dried lavender flowers (crushed with mortar or pestle)

·        1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries – I used frozen (do not thaw if using frozen)

Instructions 

            Preheat the oven to 350 F.

·        Grease a 9 inch (23 cm) loaf tin. Mix the berries and the 2 tsp whole wheat flour and set
aside.

·        In a medium bowl add the whole wheat, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and crushed lavender flowers. Whisk together and set aside.

·         In a large bowl add the canola oil, maple syrup and beat till combined using a hand held mixer.
Add one egg at a time and beat well with each addition until well combined. Add the yogurt and vanilla extract, beat until mixed well.

·         Add the dry ingredients into the wet and beat until everything is just mixed together. Now slowly and carefully fold in the blueberries. At any point of time do not over mix the
batter.

·        Now pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until the
skewer comes out clean. Mine got done in 37 minutes, so keep an eye after 35 minutes of baking.

·   Allow the bread to cool in pan for 3 -4 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

·        Cut into slices and enjoy with a steaming cup of Earl Grey Tea.

Thanks so much

Xo,

K