Recipe: Walnut Chai Tea Loaf (using whole wheat flour, applesauce and egg whites)

WALNUT CHAI TEA LOAF



Canola oil cooking spray
1/2 cup boiling water
3 chai teabags
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
3 large egg whites (can substitute 2 large eggs)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 8-inch x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In heatproof measuring cup, steep teabags in 1/2 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove bags, squeezing well. Cool tea to room temperature.

In small bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine applesauce, oil and tea. Set both bowls aside.

In mixing bowl, beat egg whites (or eggs) with electric mixer or whisk, 1 minute. Add white and brown sugars, beat together, then add wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients and zest and mix just until they are combined with other ingredients; there will be many small lumps. Use rubber spatula to blend in most small lumps, taking care not to over mix. Stir in nuts. Scoop batter into prepared baking pan.

Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until straw inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn loaf out of pan and cool completely.

This tea loaf is best when wrapped in foil for 8-24 hours, which allows flavors to ripen and loaf to become more moist.

Makes 12 servings

Per serving: 210 calories, 10 g fat (1 g sat fat), 27 g carbohydrates,
4 g protein, 2 g fiber, 156 mg sodium

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

BAKING WITH TEA IS A TREAT

While reading my first Agatha Christie mystery, the craving to join Miss Marple in a comforting, bracing "cuppa" overwhelmed me. I have been an avid tea-drinker ever since and particularly like to indulge at mid-morning - "elevenses" - and in late afternoon.

Enjoying a sweet is frequently part of this ritual. Usually it is a biscuit (cookie to non-Anglophiles) or slice of teacake. Tea loaves, in fact, got their name because they are a perfect choice. Including tea as an ingredient in these recipes adds a nice flavor. Ever since, I have tried to make true tea loaves enhanced with the tea flavor, and perhaps the health benefits, of this benevolent brew.

For the holidays, when the aromas of cinnamon, clove and other warm spices reflect the season's festive mood, this moist loaf is a favorite. It perfumes the house beautifully with orange zest and a generous measure of chai, the Indian blend of tea and spice. Wrapped in foil, it also keeps nicely in the refrigerator, ready to share when guests drop by.

This gingerbread-brown loaf contains whole-grain flour, applesauce, egg whites and walnuts. The combination minimizes a sugar rush, a good thing when the holidays are so full of sweet tempting confections. Its sweetening is even light enough to also let you enjoy an accompanying cup of chai, including its traditional drizzle of honey or agave."

Makes 1 loaf
Source: Dana Jacobi for the American Institute for Cancer Research