mythankfultable.com

Feeding the Heart, Body, and Family

  • My Pics
  • My Story
  • The Puppies
  • Contact Us
Feeding the Heart, Body, and Family

Month: July 2018

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

July 21, 2018 by chrissy@mythankfultable.com
Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini BreadI’m just going to put it out there, the word “moist” does not have a big following. But in a bread, loaded with freshly picked (I picked mine but hey picking a carton out at the grocery store counts too) blueberries, the zing of lemon, and a superhero ingredient of zucchini, this bread is so good, sweet and tart and yes, moist.

When you add zucchini to anything, even if you squeeze the liquid out before hand, it still adds to the texture of a bread. I shred mine on a box grater (actually it is a six-sided grater – so a hexagon grater) on the fine shred side. You can do this and pop it in the freezer or the refrigerator before hand. I give the shredded zucchini a squeeze to remove extra liquid but don’t make a big deal out of it. (There is no wringing it out in a towel  or setting out overnight). Because I use a finer shred, not only is it barely detectable, the bread maintains the integrity of being lemony and blueberry without looking or tasting like a zucchini bread.Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

This recipe calls for two key ingredients that you can find in abundance right now where I live. The first round of berries (bigger and sweeter) are ready, and everybody who has a garden with squash has one or two or ten extra to give away. So bake it up into a bread and put some glaze on it.

The bread uses lemon extract as well as the punch of zest. I go overboard on the blueberries because that’s how I roll, but you can certainly reduce the berries, use vanilla extract, and switch up the oil as well. I used a mixture of vegetable oil and greek style yogurt (I like what it adds to the texture of the bread). I used Siggis Vanilla yogurt, but if I had Lemon flavored yogurt on hand I would have used that, or plain-no flavor yogurt.

If I am going to cave for a sweet at my local coffee shop, it will be for the glazed lemon loaf. It better taste like lemon. Not yellow bread. So, I will be heavy-handed in the zest. You will find it in the bread as well as the glaze.

The glaze…oh you sweet lemony goodness. Glaze is temperamental in the fact that you don’t want a mouthful of sugar. You want balance of sweet and tart. You want it to not be sticky and gross all over your bread. It’s not frosting. So, you play with it. If it needs more lemon juice or heavy cream, add it. Ideally, you want it loose enough to spoon into a plastic baggie, snip the end off, and drizzle. It will firm up after a bit and maintain it’s pretty design on the top of your bread.

Fresh picked blueberriesIn a world where I can not only be productive and useful, utilizing berries I picked and fresh zucchini from the farm stand, I want a little sweet. A bread with the tart of lemon, the jewel-like blueberries, which visually and taste wise are remarkable, and the ninja like skills of hidden zucchini will get my vote every time.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy

Click below for a printable recipe!

Print

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Print Recipe

This deliciously moist bread combines the flavors of lemon, blueberry, with finely shredded zucchini to combine the flavors of the season. Recipe yields two loaves, or one large loaf and three smaller loaves of bread.

  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 container (5.3 ounce) Greek Style Yogurt
  • 3 Eggs
  • 3 Cups AP Flour
  • 2 1/4 Cup White Sugar
  • 2 Cups Finely Grated Zucchini
  • 2 Teaspoons Lemon Extract
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • Zest of one Lemon (OK- I use three lemons but it is because that is my thing)
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 4 Cups Blueberries

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • Zest of 1/2 Lemon
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Whipping Cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*
  2. Prepare either 2 loaf pans or four small loaf pans with cooking spray or oil.
  3. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine oil, yogurt, and sugar.
  4. Add eggs and combine.
  5. Add zuchinni, extracts, zest, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combined.
  6. Fold in blueberries.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  8. Bake for 50 Minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Posted in: bread, breakfast, Recipes Tagged: blueberry, Bread, breakfast, lemon, Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread, Zucchini

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

July 18, 2018 by chrissy@mythankfultable.com
Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

I don’t know if it is an age thing or a mom thing, but I tend to forget. I make lists and set reminders and own a large stock in post-its of every color and size to compensate for this, but the truth is, if I don’t write it down, I forget. I tell my kids to remind me when I am older that I did this when I was in my forties to make me feel better.

I forget the ingredient that I specifically went to the grocery store for, even though I buy other stuff I forgot to write down. I forget to put the card in the mail even though I bought it two weeks ago just so it wouldn’t be late (I am the worst auntie ever, sorry kids for the late birthday cards…).

I remember to pay my bills and feed and clothe my children and keep a house that’s clean and my yard is nice. I am kind to the dog and I do my job at work to the very best of my ability. So, for the most part, the forgetting is the other stuff.

Which includes myself. I forget to remember that exercise is important. That rest is necessary. That self-care is not only a priority but is essential to the people around me. I get caught up in not wanting to be selfish but the truth is, sometimes, in order to survive, we need to not forget ourselves.

Like anything you let slide, getting back into the remembering is hard at first. Remembering how good it feels to leave the gym after a workout. Remembering that meal prep and eating healthy is actually not as hard as you thought it was. Remembering how writing resonates deep within after not being able to string along sentences for a while. That taking the time to stop and enjoy life around you is worth remembering to do.

I would like to say I have found perfect balance and have achieved whatever zen I am looking for in my life, my kitchen, my table. I haven’t. I still want to eat a slice of banana bread or a cookie after I eat my salad with a protein. It is what it is. I am trying to remember balance, and kindness to myself, and indulge without going overboard. Like this Coffee Cake Banana Bread. (Creative stretch to segue into the recipe? Maybe?) It’s a stretch…but I’ll take it.

Banana bread is beautiful on its own. But combine it with a Coffee Cake Crumble topping and you have a healthy base with an indulgent flare that says, “YES PLEASE!” It is a moist tender bread with the crumbly crunch of cinnamon and sugar. It is worth the freezing of the ripe bananas. It is worth the effort to bake from scratch. It reminds me to stop. Sip the coffee. Eat the banana bread. Enjoy the view.

While I will continue to write post it notes and lists for myself, I will also remember to feed my soul, in whatever form that takes. Because healthy is important, as well as a generous portion of crumble topping.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy

Click below for a printable recipe!

Print

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Coffee Cake Banana Bread
Print Recipe

This moist banana bread is topped with a buttery crumb topping. Original recipe from www.alattefood.com.

  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ Cup Butter, softened
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 3–4 Mashed Ripe Bananas
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt

Crumb Topping:

  • 1 Cup Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons Butter, Cold and cubed

Instructions

To prepared the Crumb Topping:

  1. Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour.
  2. Cut in butter until crumbly in texture.

To Prepare Banana Bread:

  1. Preheat oven to 350*
  2. Spray two 8 x 4 pans with non-stick spray, butter, or oil of choice. (I also make these in the smaller loaf pans and it makes approximately five loaves.
  3. In a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
  4. Add in eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  5. Add in mashed bananas until combined.
  6. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  7. Add dry ingredients until incorporated.
  8. Divide batter between two prepared pans.
  9. Sprinkle Crumb topping generously over both pans.
  10. Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes until tester comes out clean.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Print

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Coffee Cake Banana Bread
Print Recipe
  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ Cup Butter, softened
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 3–4 Mashed Ripe Bananas
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt

Crumb Topping:

  • 1 Cup Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons Butter, Cold and cubed

Instructions

To prepared the Crumb Topping:

  1. Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour.
  2. Cut in butter until crumbly in texture.

 

To Prepare Banana Bread:

  1. Preheat oven to 350*
  2. Spray two 8 x 4 pans with non-stick spray, butter, or oil of choice. (I also make these in the smaller loaf pans and it makes approximately five loaves.
  3. In a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
  4. Add in eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  5. Add in mashed bananas until combined.
  6. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  7. Add dry ingredients until incorporated.
  8. Divide batter between two prepared pans.
  9. Sprinkle Crumb topping generously over both pans.
  10. Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes until tester comes out clean.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Posted in: bread, breakfast, My Story Tagged: banana, banana bread, Bread, breakfast, Cinnamon, Crumble Topping

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Golden Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Chocolate Chunks, and Walnuts

July 17, 2018 by chrissy@mythankfultable.com

It begins with the table. Whether it is the family you are born into, or the family you make on your own, I am convinced the table is where a family evolves.

For some of us, the joy is in prepping and serving. For others, there is no joy in the cooking, but the gift resides sitting next to people you love and talking about whatever topic arises.

For me, the best times around a table are potluck. Where everyone brings something. We share. It isn’t as stressful or scary or overwhelming, and it somehow all comes together

Potluck suppers have been my last week. We spent a whole week in the glorious Outer Banks: four families, varying supper plans. Only for me, the one with no grill or stove, I was the one who made due. I was welcomed at the table regardless.

(I brought the cookies).

This week held meals around pop up tables, picnic tables, poolside tables, bay side beach chair on your lap tables, and at each, we were family. Some topics dinner appropriate. Some topics…not. But, we laughed, and shared, and sat in silence. It was perfect.

All week-long I thought, “it all starts at the table.” We teach our children, we feed our elderly, we welcome the hurting. We provide, and we ever so humbly receive. We learn to sit. To listen. To share. We learn to respect and to be kind. We learn to laugh at ourselves. We all clean up together, and there is joy in that as well.

If you are lucky, the table is sacred. You take the time to stop the world, put down your electronics, and not just look at but see the people around you. And your heart becomes even more thankful.

For every time I complained about my father’s staunch five o’ clock supper time, I would give anything to sit at his table. When we eat as a family, it is almost always a joint decision as to where. Inside? Outside? But mostly…together.

For every crumpled napkin, shared plate, “try this,” forkful or sip of a drink, every “would you please pass…” or “Anybody want anything else before we clean up?” Our lives are connected. We are family…and it happens at the table.

For this cookie you can think it’s healthy and it is… but it really isn’t. Oatmeal, dried cranberries, dark chocolate chunks, orange zest, walnuts, and golden raisins all dance around with brown sugar and molasses. Chewy, filled with jam like dried fruit, and that little kick of orange balances it all out.

Yes, these went to the table. To the beach, to the bay, to the pool. Because life is just sweeter on vacation with dessert. Cookies need no plate. These were the healthiest of the cookies I brought, and they got eaten just like the others…and I am thankful. Ever so thankful, for the family I got to share for the week.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy

For a printable recipe, click below!

Print

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Golden Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Chocolate Chunks, and Walnuts

Print Recipe
  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar (I like to use dark)
  • ½ Cup White Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons (generous) Molasses
  • 3 Cups Rolled Oats (Can be Gluten Free)
  • 1 ½ Cup Flour
  • 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Teaspoons Corn Starch
  • 1 ½ Cups Dried Cherries
  • 1 ½ Cups Golden Raisins
  • 2 Tablespoons Orange Zest
  • 1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chunks/Chips
  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

  1. Dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to a few days but can be mixed and baked.
  2. Preheat oven to 325*
  3. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silicone mats.
  4. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
  5. Add in eggs and molasses and combine until smooth.
  6. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
  7. Add dry ingredients to butter mixer until combined.
  8. Stir in dried cherries, zest, raisins, chocolate chunks.
  9. Scoop dough onto prepared cookie sheets.
  10. Bake for approx. 12 minutes. Allow to cool.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Posted in: Cookies, My Story, Recipes Tagged: Cookie, Dark Chocolate Chunks, Dried Cranberries, Golden Raisins, Oatmeal, Oatmeal Cookie, Walnuts

Recipe Search

Recent Posts

  • Fluffernutter Cookies…You Heard Me April 12, 2024
  • On Nests July 30, 2023
  • Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies April 24, 2022
  • Praline Sweet Potato Pie March 22, 2022
  • Italian Ricotta Cake March 13, 2022

Recent Comments

  • Cathy Carroll on To My Daughter On Her 18th Birthday
  • Maureen / Mimi on To My Daughter On Her 18th Birthday
  • Kathy G on To My Daughter On Her 18th Birthday
  • chrissy@mythankfultable.com on Cherry Crescent Moon Cookies and Finding the Joy
  • chrissy@mythankfultable.com on Cherry Crescent Moon Cookies and Finding the Joy

Archives

Categories

  • appetizer
  • bread
  • breakfast
  • Cookies
  • crockpot
  • crockpot
  • Dessert
  • Fruit
  • My Story
  • One Pan
  • Recipes
  • side dish
  • Side Dishes
  • soup
  • Vegan

Copyright © 2025 mythankfultable.com.

Lifestyle WordPress Theme by themehit.com