Apple Bread

I'm wiped out! I can't imagine how I could feel more tired than I do right now... BUT... I did it. I survived a bus of 45 boys (gr. 8 and gr. 10) traveling for up to 6 hrs at a time, music blaring, chaperoning 9 of those boys through 4 cities and 4 concerts (they all sing in a boys choir), 2 Masses, buffet restaurants, barfing kids on the bus and greuling schedules (I said at one point late in the tour that if I woke up to the time on the clock starting with a 5 one more time...!!!). I am home again... with just two kids, two jobs and one husband and boy is it amazing.

I took today off to revive and I would say that I'm about half way there. However, everybody needs to eat... and snack too. After a week of fast food (ok, subway was the lowest I could go, beyond that it was starvation by choice), buffets (in the U.S I learned that buffet means something quite different than in Canada) and eating while on the run, I am soooooo ready to relax with some good meals and comforting snacks.

I LOVE THIS BREAD!!!

This bread never fails. It tastes fantastic, the texture is exactly what you want from a quick bread (not too dry, not too wet) and it lasts well. I found this recipe in the 'More With Less' cookbook. It is simple and easy. What I have started doing is, if I know that I'm not going to get through my apples before they go bad, chopping the apples up and putting them in the freezer, bagged in the right portion and ready to go. Just make sure (if you use frozen) that you drain them before putting them into the bread batter.

This bread is going to help me recuperate from my first St Michael's tour For Sure!!!

Dutch Apple Bread

(More with Less)

Makes 1 loaf (I used a smallish loaf pan)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream together:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

Add and beat well:

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Combine separately:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Add dry ingredients alternately with:

1/3 cup sour milk or orange juice

(I used just under 1/3 cup O.J. and didn't have milk so I put in 1 tbsp of sour cream as well)

Fold in:

1 cup chopped apples (not delicious though)

1/3 cup of toasted walnuts (I skipped this though)

Bake in a greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan for about 50 minutes (might need 55 min. but check at 50)