Delia Smith Tea Loaf Food

SUPER-EASY TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit and tea in a bowl and leave to soak for a few hours. I usually do this the night before or in the morning before work.
• Pre-heat the oven to 150°C, or 180°C if your are not using a fan assisted oven.
• Add the sugar and flour to the tea and fruit mix, and the ground ginger if you choose to include it. Stir well until thoroughly combined.
• Scoop the mixture into a greased 2lb loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
• If you prick the cake with a cocktail stick and it comes out clean, it is ready. Leave the loaf to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes. After that, run a knife along the outer edge of the loaf to loosen it and tip it onto a cooling rack.

IRISH TEA CAKES

Steps:

• The day before you intend to cook this recipe, place all the fruit and the mixed peel into a large mixing bowl.
• In a medium bowl or large heat proof jug, measure out 275ml of boiling water.
• Jiggle the tea bag around in the water until you have a nice, strong brew.
• Add the sugar to the hot tea and stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Pour tea/sugar mixture over the fruit.
• Cover and leave overnight.
• The next day, set the oven to 170C/325°F.
• Grease two 450g/1lb loaf tins and line the base and sides with baking paper- also known as baking parchment or silicone paper.
• Add the chopped walnuts to the fruit mixture.
• Break the egg into a small dish, add the milk, and beat lightly.
• Add the egg mixture to the fruit mixture.
• Sieve the flour into the fruit mixture then mix well, using a wooden spoon- the mixture may seem dry at first, but keep mixing and it will come together.
• Using a large serving spoon, divide the mixture evenly between the lined loaf tins, then smooth the tops with the back of a spoon.
• Place on the centre shelf of the oven and bake for 1 1/4- 1 1/2 hours until a skewer, pushed through the centre of the cake, comes out clean.
• Be careful not to overcook- test after 1 1/4 hours.
• Remove cakes from oven and turn out immediately to cool on a wire rack.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, sliced and buttered.

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.