Getting Ready for a Spring Awakening!

Spring is right around the corner- the following Monday, to be exact. I’m ready to begin a new season. Spring, to me, is about new and fresh beginnings. Furthermore, it’s about growth, evolution, and development.

Last spring, I baked a delicious quick bread with a zesty glaze made with spring fruits: strawberries and lemon. I’m excited to share this delightful recipe with you.  This bread was an absolute favorite.

What is Quick Bread?

Making bread is tedious and takes time, particularly the proofing or fermenting part of the process. Quick bread uses leavening agents aside from yeast, making baking easier. In addition, this bread usually incorporates a fruit or vegetable instead of yeast or eggs. The possibilities of quick bread are endless and exciting to explore. Experimenting with different fruits and veggies makes baking this type of bread so exhilarating

Strawberry Lemonade Quick Bread with Lemon Zest Glaze Recipe

Yields: 9″ x 5″ loaf pan

Bread recipe:

• 300 grams pastry flour
• 210 grams organic raw cane sugar
• 18 grams baking powder
• 3.75 grams Kosher salt
• 2 beaten organic eggs
• 210 grams organic whole milk
• 7.5 grams pure vanilla extract
• 120 grams organic vegetable shortening
• 120 grams organic strawberries, chopped (any seasonal fruit can be used to make a variety of this bread)
• 1 teaspoon organic lemon zest
• Non-stick spray

Lemon zest glaze recipe:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
•  2 tablespoons organic lemon zest
• ⅓ cup organic fresh lemon juice

Kitchen Equipment

• Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place ingredients
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowls (2x)
• Food scale
• Colander
• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• Serrated knife
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Strainer (for sifting)
• Loaf pan
• Fork
• Bowl
• Toothpick
• Juicer reamer
• Microplane
• Oven mitts
• Cooling rack
• Airtight container
• Plates

Baking Instructions 

1. Sanitize the kitchen (sink, countertops, stovetop/oven, cupboard handles, phone, computer).
2. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
3. Melt shortening in the microwave.
4. Beat the eggs.
5. Wash and chop the strawberries.
6. Wash and zest the lemon.
7. Mise en place ingredients.
8. Sift dry ingredients in one bowl.
9. Mix wet ingredients in another bowl.
10. Add the wet-to-dry ingredients.
11. Gently mix to combine until there are no more dry ingredients visible. Do not overmix.
12. Gently fold in the strawberries and lemon zest.
13. Grease a 9×5” loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
14. Add the batter to the pan.
15. Bake between 40-45 minutes.
16. While the bread is baking, make the lemon zest glaze.
17. Sift the powdered sugar.
18. Juice the lemon.
19. Combine the lemon and zest with the powdered sugar.
20. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the baked bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is ready.
21. Allow cooling.
22. Remove from the loaf pan and fully cool the bread on a cooling rack.
23. Once it is completely cooled, pour the glaze over the loaf.
24. Slice the bread with a serrated knife.
25. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Seven Additional Spring Fruits

There are so many spring fruits to choose from.

Here are my top seven favorites.

1. Blueberries
   • Blueberries are usually available year-round. Additionally, it’s a crucial superfood to consume daily.
2. Cherries
   • This fruit is grouped in the “dirty dozen” category, meaning it contains a lot of pesticides. It’s number eight on the list. Consider buying organic if your budget allows it.
3. Golden kiwis
   • Only a few years ago, I learned different kiwis were on the market. I love the golden kiwis. It’s much sweeter than the green kiwis. This fruit is on the “clean fifteen” list. It has minimal pesticides.
4. Grapes
   • This fruit is grouped in the “dirty dozen” category and is number six on the list. Consider buying organic if your budget allows it. Grapes are grown year-round, but “spring” grapes come from Mexico and Southern California. While green grapes prevail in the spring, red and black grapes are also becoming popular.
5. (Meyer) Lemons
   • This type of lemon is between a lemon and an orange. Their rind is considered sweeter, which makes their zest all the more vibrant.
6. Mangoes
   • This Floridian fruit is on the “clean fifteen” list. Pickled mangoes in Hawai’i are a staple. It’s the only way I enjoy mangoes.
7. Strawberries 
   • My ultimate favorite fruit! This fruit is grouped in the “dirty dozen” category and is number one on the list. Consider buying organic if your budget allows it.

References

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Home Gourmet and Escoffier Online International Culinary Academy (2016). Try these quick breads. Retrieved from: https://www.escoffieronline.com/try-these-quick-breads/

LaMotte, S. (2022). Dirty dozen 2022: Produce with the most and least pesticides. Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/health/dirty-dozen-produce-2022-wellness/index.html

Sansone, A.E. (2023). 15 Best spring fruits- Spring fruits in season. Retrieved from: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g42506482/spring-fruits/