Here is a fun and creative recipe that comes from the May 2011 issue of the Food Network Magazine.  It gives you all kinds of options for all kinds of quick breads.  I had the first 2 zucchini from our garden sitting on the counter so I went with zucchini and chocolate chips and chocolate glaze (of course) for my niece and her husband who are blessing their baby, Hannah, today.  Smelled great but can’t tell you how it tastes since it is a gift!

Step 1:  Choose a Flavor – Prepare 1 cup fruit or vegetables (1 kind).

pear, shredded and squeezed dry

apple, shredded and squeezed dry

banana, mashed

carrot, shredded

zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry

Step 2:  Pick your Mix-Ins – Choose up to 1 3/4 cups of the following ingredients (use no more than 3/4 cup nuts).  Toast and chop any nuts; chop any large dried fruit.

walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts and/or pistachios

dried cherries, cranberries, currants, raisins, figs, apricots and/or dates

rolled oats

chocolate chips

sweetened shredded coconut

Step 3:  Prepare the Pan – Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly butter one 9 x 5″ loaf pan or three 6 x 3″ mini pans.

Step 4:  Make the Batter – Mix 1 1/4 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon each baking powder and salt and 1/2 teaspoon each baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl; add your dry mix-ins.  In a medium bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1/2 cup cooled melted butter or oil, 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon citrus zest (optional).  Stir your fruit or vegetables into egg mixture, then fold into the dry mixture until just combined.

Step 5:  Bake the Loaf – Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 55 minutes for a standard loaf, 35 – 40 minutes for a mini.  Cool 30 minutes in pan on rack, then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Step 6:  Make a Glaze – Prepare a glaze, pour on cooled bread and let set, 15 – 20 minutes.

Chocolate Glaze – Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and pinch salt.

Vanilla Bean – Whisk 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon milk and seeds from 1 vanilla bean.

Brown Butter – Brown 3 tablespoons butter over low heat; cool slightly.  Whisk with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk.  Use immediately.

Citrus – Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon each milk and citrus juice and 1 teaspoon citrus zest.

Cream Cheese – Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

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