Malted Walnut Seed Loaf Recipes

WALNUT LOAF

Steps:

• Toast the bread slices either in the toaster or on a baking sheet placed under the broiler. Let cool.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Generously butter a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, then line the bottom with waxed paper and butter the paper.
• Tear up the toasted bread slices and make crumbs out of them in a food processor. Place in a large bowl.
• Process the walnuts until finely ground and mix into the bread crumbs. Combine the eggs and onions in the processor and process until fine but not liquefied. Stir into the bread crumbs. Place the green pepper, celery, parsley, tomatoes, and oil in the processor and grind until fine but still with some texture. Stir into the loaf mixture along with the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix this all very well until evenly moistened. (The mixture may be prepared to this point and refrigerated up to 8 hours in advance.) Scrape it into the prepared loaf pan and smooth over the top. Cover the loaf with foil.
• Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out dry. Let sit 5 minutes, then run a knife all along the sides of the loaf to help loosen it. Unmold the loaf onto a platter and remove the waxed paper. Let the loaf cool 20 minutes or so before slicing it. It's best to serve the loaf warm and the gravy hot.
• Melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the flour; it will become very pasty. Cook this roux for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. It will stick to the bottom of the pan a little bit; that's okay.
• Stir in the stock, wine, soy sauce, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cook the sauce at a lively simmer for 5 minutes, stirring almost constantly and scraping any crusty bits that adhere to the bottom of the pan. Serve in a sauceboat.

DATE & WALNUT LOAF

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter a 2lb loaf tin (ours was 22 x 10cm and 6cm deep) and line with baking parchment. Put the butter, dates and bicarbonate of soda (which helps break down the dates) in a large bowl and add 150ml boiling water. Give it a stir so the butter melts, and leave to stand for around 20 mins until the dates have softened.
• Whisk in the sugar until smooth, then gradually whisk in the eggs until combined. Beat in the baking powder, flour and a pinch of sea salt until there are no lumps of flour left and it's smooth. Fold in three-quarters of the walnuts, then pour into the prepared tin. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top.
• Bake for 20 mins, then turn the oven down to 170C/150C fan/gas 3 and cook for another 45-50 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 15 mins, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Lightly dust with the icing sugar and serve in slices. Freeze whole or cut into slices, then place in an airtight container or divide between reusable freezer bags. Can be frozen for up to three months. Defrost thoroughly overnight.

WALNUT SEED LOAF

Steps:

• Mix the flours, potato starch, xanthan gum, yeast, sugar and 1½ tsp salt in a large bowl. Mix together the milk, oil and vinegar in a separate bowl, then add to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough comes together. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr.
• Knead in most of the seeds and walnuts. Shape into a large round - oiled hands will help. Roll the round in the remaining seeds and nuts, then lift onto a baking tray. Loosely cover again with oiled cling film and leave for 1 hr more.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Bake the bread for 15 mins, then reduce oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and continue baking for 30 mins until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Leave on a wire rack to cool, wrapped in a clean tea towel - this will help to keep the loaf soft.