PECAN & DATE LOAF

This is a bread that is perfect to snack on with a cup of tea in the afternoon. The pecans, dates and apple make a lovely combination. I use readymade apple purée from the health food shop: it’s a good ingredient when you want to add sweetness without adding sugar. Dates are real energy-boosters, so a slice of this loaf will set you up nicely before a workout.

MAKES 1 LOAF

PREP TIME: 10 MIN

COOK TIME: 45 MIN

125g wholemeal flour

75g self-raising flour

70g pecans, chopped

6 dates, pitted and finely chopped

120ml apple purée

100ml almond milk (or regular milk)

6 tbsp honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

20g pecans, whole

PROTEIN 4.1G

FAT (SATURATED) 8.5G (0.7G)

CARB 32.5G

FIBRE 2.4G

CAL 229

Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/gas 2. You will need a 900g (2lb) silicone loaf pan.

Sift the flours into a large bowl and mix in the chopped pecans and dates. Mix the apple purée, almond milk, honey and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top.

Bake for 40 minutes, then increase the heat to 180°C/350°F/gas 4 for a further 5 minutes. This gives the loaf a nice crust.

Remove the loaf from the oven and leave it to cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the Pecan & Date Loaf from the loaf pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack.