Earlier this month we introduced you to our March Fan of the Month, Kathy Patalsky, a vegan chef from Happy.Healthy.Life and Bigelow Tea lover. Today we’d like to share with you a mouth-watering recipe she created using Bigelow’s ”Constant Comment“® Tea.
Kathy’s Citrus & Spice Tea Banana Bread is moist, vegan and can even be made with a delectable “cream cheese” glaze. You can also add diced apples for extra moisture and sweetness. Yum!
Of course, as Kathy notes on her website, the Citrus & Spice Tea Banana Bread pairs deliciously with a cup of Bigelow Tea. “Plus,” she says, “this bread baking in the oven will fill your house with an amazing scent. Some people like to burn candles … well skip the candle and just bake this bread!”Here’s the recipe. Let us know if you try it … and which Bigelow Tea variety you sipped while tasting it!
“Constant Comment” Tea-Infused Citrus Spice Banana Bread
vegan, makes one loaf
Dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 cup rolled oats (optional)
1 tsp salt
Banana/liquid mix ingredients:
1 1/2 bananas, mashed
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup orange or tangerine juice + 1/4 tsp orange zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp flax seeds
3/4 cup boiling water + 1 “Constant Comment” tea bag (steeped tea)
Topping ingredients:
Sprinkle of sugar + sprinkle of citrus zest + sprinkle of cinnamon
Optional add-in’s:
* 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans would be perfect!)
* 1/2 cup diced apple (I tried this on my second time testing the recipe and it was amazing.)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Heat 3/4 cup of water in microwave or boil on stove. Add the “Constant Comment” tea bag and allow to steep for about five minutes – until dark amber gold in color.
4. In a small bowl, combine the tea, mashed banana, oil, vanilla extract, flax seeds and orange juice + zest. Mash this all together to soften the bananas even more. This mixture should be warm from the hot tea.
5. Pour the banana mixture into the large mixing bowl and fold until well combined.
6. Grease a standard loaf pan. Pour the batter into the pan.
7. Top the batter with a sprinkle of sugar, cinnamon and orange zest.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until cooked through.
9. Allow to cool before slicing and serving.
Optional: This loaf is pretty dreamy all on its own, but if desired you can whip up a cream cheese drizzle to pour over top!
“Cream Cheese” Glaze for Bread
makes about 3/4 cup of glaze
1/2 cup vegan cream cheese
1/4 maple or agave syrup
1/4 cup powdered sugar, organic
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla or orange extract
Soften the cream cheese and beat all ingredients together until silky. Place in fridge until ready to serve over top a warm slice of tea bread.