Almost Fat Free British Tea Loaf Food

ALMOST FAT-FREE BRITISH TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Oil a loaf pan.
• Combine raisins and tea in a bowl. Steep for about 30 minutes.
• Mix flour, sugar, and allspice together in a second bowl. Add the raisin-tea mixture and egg. Gently combine using a rubber spatula; do not overmix. Scoop mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAT FREE ENGLISH TEA LOAF - BREAD

Steps:

• You will need two 1 lb (450 g) loaf tins (6 x 4 x 2 1/2 inches), the bases lined with greaseproof paper (parchment).
• The evening before you want to bake these loaves, place all the fruits, including the candied peel, in a bowl, then dissolve the sugar in the hot tea, pour this over the fruits, cover the bowl and leave it overnight.
• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F/170°C.
• Beat the egg and add the milk.
• Add the beaten egg & milk mixture to the bowl containing the fruits. Then sift in the flour, and mix them together well.
• Now divide the mixture between the prepared loaf tins and bake them in the centre of the oven for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they feel springy in the centre.
• Then straight away, loosen them with a palette knife and turn them out on to a wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight tin or cover with extra greaseproof paper and freeze. (For up to 3 months).
• These are great sliced, toasted and served with butter as a tea-time snack.

DARJEELING CRANBERRY, GINGER AND ORANGE TEA LOAF (FAT-FREE)

Steps:

• NIGHT BEFORE BAKING:.
• Place all of the dried fruit, including the orange zest and ginger, with the sugar into a large mixing bowl, and pour over the hot tea, give it a good stir - cover with a clean tea towel and leave to steep overnight.
• BAKING THE TEA LOAF:.
• Pre-heat oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 3 and grease and line a 2 lb (1 kg) loaf tin.
• Add the beaten egg to the fruit mixture and mix well, then add the ground ginger.
• Gradually add the flour and stir the mixture well, ensuring there are no lumps of flour remaining.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 1 and 1/2 to 1 and 3/4 hours, or until the loaf is firm and a skewer comes out clean when testing.
• If the loaf appears to be browning too quickly, place on the bottom shelf and cover with a sheet of baking paper.
• Allow the loaf to cool slightly, and gently remove to a wire cooling rack.
• Store in an airtight tin for up to 1 week, or freeze slices of the tea loaf with greaseproof paper in between each slice.
• This is wonderful when buttered or toasted!
• NB: You must use HOT tea!

TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Mix the sultanas, raisins and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the tea and cover the bowl. Leave to sit for a minimum of 6 hours or ideally overnight to allow the dried fruit to soak up all the liquid.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Add the eggs, flour and sugar to the soaked fruit, ensuring everything is well combined. Spoon the mixture into the tin and place in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 30 mins or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 mins before transferring to a wire rack.
• Cut into thick slices and serve with butter. To store, wrap tightly and keep in an airtight container for up to five days. The loaf will taste even better after a few days.