Here’s a healthy twist on Christmas. A quick and easy loaf that will provide all of the flavour of a full blown pud, without the flour, sugar or long, hot cooking time. This is a soft, fragrant, gluten free loaf, bursting with the scent of dried figs, vanilla and wild orange. Serve with my lemon curd, coconut yoghurt or a stunning slice of aged cheddar.
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Festive fig, pecan and wild orange loaf
Description
This recipe makes enough for 2 loaves using 2 x 8½” x 4½” x 2⅝” loaf pans.
Halve this recipe if required.Ingredients
Scale
1 cup chia seeds
2 cups coconut water
2 cups dried figs, finely sliced
1 cup currants
1/4 cup Davidson plum & balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt
1 cup almond meal
4 large eggs
6-8 drops orange essential oil – food grade
1 cup pecan nuts, finely chopped
1 teaspoon bicarb soda (aluminum free)
1/2 cup coconut flakes & chopped pecansInstructions
- Preheat oven to 150°C.
- In a large bowl, add chia seeds and coconut water.
- Soak for 10 minutes.
- Stir briefly again after 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Meanwhile place figs, currants, vinegar, water, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large saucepan.
- Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, discard vanilla bean. Set aside.
- Add almond meal to soaked chia.
- Whisk eggs in a separate bowl. Add to almond meal and chia mix.
- Add Wild Orange essential oil.
- Add bicarb and pecans. Fold in cooled fig mixture.
- Line 2 loaf tins with baking paper and carefully pour mixture in.
- Scatter coconut flakes and chopped pecans over the top. Press in gently.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes. Test with a skewer. Bake longer if required.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving so as to firm.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.