So, baking is something that I just love. I didn't learn from a great desire for it, nor while I was growing up. I just picked up some ingredients that I knew could produce lovely fragrances and tastes, and got to work. Many a mouthful was spit out, almost choked on and, eventually, swallowed.
When I lived in Savannah, GA I baked delicious cakes, cupcakes, and other confectionery delights with my *Bake It A Great Day* "bakery". {To those who helped along the way: Thank you for putting up with the incessant talk of the possibilities of flavors and menu items!} I also held baking classes in my home for children and adults. I wasn't too interested in a healthy way of baking, though, and it showed up on me in the sum of 40 extra pounds.
Fast forward to today, when eating right and working out are a HUGE part of my life. My weight has fluctuated due to skin cancer removals and psoriasis flares but, more often than not, I continue to lose (which is winning!!!). I don't bake or eat like I used to, and it has taken some getting used to.
A major player in this change: mindset. I stay completely positive and tell myself that our children enjoy the healthy foods more than they lead on {in my dreams!} and my husband humors me in my attempts to convert them. Haha!
Really! How's a girl keep the food tasty and not full of junk? During the "conversion", I learned to experiment again! Why, by experimenting, I could learn what tastes good and what doesn't. I could come up with fantastically delicious dishes for family and friends! And, to top it off, the children would be the best taste-testers, of course!
Well, all this desire for baking overflowed and I created a meshing of two things: good-for-you veggies AND chocolate. Bake it up in an almond flour mix and voilà! You've got bread. It sounds crazy, I know, but you'll be glad that you tried it!
Where do you start? Well, compile your list of ingredients:
Here it is in writing:
Please pay attention to the 'Keep in mind' note. It's very important. My process goes something like this: juice my kale, spinach, cucumber...whatever veggies I'm using...first. Clean out the juicer and put pulp leftovers in a ziploc bag. Store in fridge for up to three days or freeze. Continue juicing. *And, if you know me, you know how many times I wrote and RE-wrote this! I just finally said enough was enough...*
When you get to Step 2, this is what your egg should look like:
Note: I'm pretty cool, but not cool enough to make my egg foamy using a fork. I used this:
It's some kind of nifty battery-operated whipping thingy. I like it.
At this point, just make sure you're following the hand-written instructions pictured above. Be reminded: "t" = teaspoon; "T" = tablespoon. If you're adventurous, make this recipe up as you go along (that's what I did in the beginning)! For instance, in the pictures below, you'll see that I used sliced almonds instead of pecans. I didn't mix them in, either. After spooning the batter into my loaf pan, I spread them on top and 'cut' them in with my spatula. Carrots are in my veggie mix, as well as yellow squash. {They were not the wisest of choices to include, but tasted okay, nonetheless.}
Another tip: make sure that you've rid as much liquid as possible from your leftover veggies. Any extra moisture and you could be setting yourself up for a much longer bake time, not to mention ruined baking experience.
My granulated sweetener of choice, from #11 in the hand-written picture, is a stevia/cane blend. It really does taste and mix great into recipes!
Once you hit Step 3, it should start to look similar to this:
Don't forget to line your loaf pan with parchment paper. Much easier clean up and great looking bottom of your baked good!
Now, ovens vary. I totally understand this. I'm currently baking in an electric oven, but love the control that a gas oven gives me. Time may vary slightly, but I did my first check at 37 minutes and ended up baking for an additional 8 minutes. So, bake it for 40-45 minutes, or until your toothpick comes out clean.
Hope you've enjoyed this! If you made any changes, make sure to comment with them! I'd love to give it a try!
To your health and desire for more. Just keep it all in moderation.
Make it a great day!
Jenn
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