Nectarine Delight
When life hands you slightly soft nectarines, why not turn them into a delicious homemade bread? That's precisely what I did, and the results were absolutely delightful. In this blog post, I'll share my experience of making nectarine-infused bread, a perfect snack for your kids' school lunchbox.
Embrace Imperfections
One of the joys of home cooking is the ability to turn imperfections into opportunities. We've all encountered those slightly overripe or softer-than-ideal nectarines that often go neglected in the fruit bowl. Instead of letting them go to waste, I decided to give them a new lease on life by incorporating them into a bread recipe.
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Nectarine Topping
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or a similar-sized ovenproof skillet.
Arrange the sliced nectarines evenly at the bottom of the greased pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the nectarines, ensuring they are well-covered. This will create a caramelized topping when baked.
Step 2: Make the Nectarine Puree
To make the nectarine puree, peel and pit the remaining 2 ripe nectarines. Place the nectarine in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Bread Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, non-dairy milk, pineapple vinegar, nectarine puree, pure vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until well combined.
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth batter. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until the ingredients are combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Pour the prepared batter evenly over the nectarine slices and brown sugar in the pan. Use a spatula to spread it out and make it level.
Step 5: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and the nectarine topping will have caramelized beautifully.
Step 6: Cool and Flip
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. This is important to let the caramelized nectarines set.
Carefully place a serving plate on top of the pan and, using oven mitts, flip the pan upside down to release the nectarine upside-down bread. The beautiful caramelized nectarines will now be on top.
Step 7: Serve
Let the bread cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Nectarine Upside-Down Bread, a perfect blend of sweet, fruity goodness and moist cake-like texture!
This delightful treat is ideal for breakfast, dessert, or as an afternoon snack. Share with family and friends, and savor the delicious flavors of ripe nectarines in every bite.
Turning soft nectarines into a delicious surprise at the bottom of homemade bread is just one example of how we can make the most of the ingredients we have on hand. This nectarine-infused bread is not only a tasty treat but also a creative way to avoid food waste. So, the next time you find yourself with slightly overripe nectarines, give this recipe a try. Happy baking!
