NUTTY WILD RICE BREAD

MAKES: ONE LOAF

3/4 cup UNsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1 and 1/3 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 and 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
3/4 cup milk

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

1. Cream butter and honey in a large mixer bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Stir in rice and nuts.

2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, cloves and mace, in small bowl. Stir flour mixture one-third at a time, alternating with milk, into egg mixture, just until combined. Pour into a well-greased 8 x 3 x 2 and 1/2-inch loaf pan.

Bake until wooden pick inserted in center is withdrawn clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.

TIP: Serve this bread with softened cream cheese as an accompaniment for poultry salads. Or, serve toasted, for breakfast.