Old Fashioned Mini Plum Loaves Food

MINI MEATLOAVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Gently combine the pork and turkey by hand in a large bowl. Stir together the oats, 2 tablespoons of the ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon of the mustard, the soy sauce, oregano, egg whites, onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the oat mixture to the meat mixture and combine by hand until just incorporated.
• Form the meatloaf mixture into 4 small football-shaped loaves, about 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick, and place on the prepared pan. Stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup and 1/2 tablespoon mustard in a small bowl. Brush some of the ketchup mixture on each meatloaf.
• Bake until fully cooked, about 20 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh oregano if desired, and serve.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S PLUM BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle chopped plums with 1 tablespoon of flour in a bowl, and toss to coat. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the margarine, white sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs. In another bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cup of flour with salt and baking soda. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, alternating with yogurt until the mixture forms a smooth batter. Lightly stir in the flour-coated plums, and pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with brown sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool in the pan 10 to 15 minutes before removing from pan for slicing.

FRESH PLUM QUICK BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, oil, egg and lemon zest. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in plums. Pour into two greased 8x4-in. loaf pans., Combine the topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

FESTIVE SUGAR PLUMS - OLD FASHIONED SWEETMEATS

Steps:

• Put all of the dried fruit, ground almonds and glace ginger into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the grated orange zest and mix well. Then add the brandy or orange juice and pulse briefly until the mixture comes together.
• Mix the sugar and mixed spice together.
• Divide the sugar plum fruit mixture into 12 pieces and then roll into small balls, before rolling them in the spiced sugar to coat them all thoroughly.
• Cut the pistachios into slivers and cut the cherries into quarters, then push the pistachio slivers and cherry pieces into the top of the sugar plums, to imitate leaves and berries.
• Place them into small paper cases if you wish and store them in an airtight tin for up to 4 weeks if made with brandy, or up to 2 weeks in the fridge if made with orange juice.
• You may be able to perform the Nutcracker ballet now - or not!

STOLLEN LOAVES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar; gradually beat in milk. Stir in yeast mixture. Beat in eggs, 4 cups flour and salt until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Stir in candied fruit, raisins and almonds., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (dough will be sticky). Place in a grease bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divided into fourths. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place in four greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

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.

OLD-FASHIONED PUMPKIN NUT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
• Combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt and the baking soda in a medium bowl.
• Blend eggs, pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk and vegetable oil in large mixing bowl.
• Add flour mixture; mix just until moistened.
• Pour into prepared loaf pan; sprinkle with nuts.
• Bake for 60-65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.