Luxury Loaf Recipes

FANCY MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
• Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.

BRILLIANT BANANA LOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
• Cream 140g softened butter and 140g caster sugar until light and fluffy, then slowly add 2 beaten large eggs with a little of the 140g flour.
• Fold in the remaining flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 mashed bananas.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for about 50 mins, or until cooked through. Check the loaf at 5-min intervals by testing it with a skewer (it should be able to be inserted and removed cleanly), as the time may vary depending on the shape of your loaf tin.
• Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove to a wire rack.
• Mix 50g icing sugar with 2-3 tsp water to make a runny icing.
• Drizzle the icing across the top of the cake and decorate with a handful of banana chips.

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.

LUXURY LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease one 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
• Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla, orange rind and juice.
• In another bowl, put flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in grated chocolate and nuts. Pour into first bowl. Stir all together until moistened. Spoon into a greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
• Bake in 325 degree F (165 degree C) oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan to cool on cake rack. Wrap.