Hearty Date-Nut Bread Without Gluten
Recipe for a Fabulous Rose Water Infused Date and Walnut Loaf
Hey there, food enthusiasts! This stunning recipe is a spin-off from the November 2007 issue of Delicious Magazine, my fav go-to food mag in the world! My best bud Kris and I tweaked it, adding a dash or two of rose water—a delightful aromatic delight that'll make your taste buds dance!
Rose water, my friends, is a ingenious way to reduce sweeteners, thanks to its fragrance. So, you can bet I've been blessedly swapping it in my baked goods, puddings, and other yummy treats. The loaf calls for you to slick your baking tin with walnut oil. While this adds an incredible flavor, it's not essential if you're tight on cash and don't feel like shelling out for this fancy schmancy oil. I've listed the rose water as optional too. The original recipe didn't have it, and it still tastes to-die-for without it. But the magic of rose water, well, it takes this loaf from fantastic to extraordinary.
Want a bread that's light as air and bursting with nutritional value? Rice flour is your bestie! But for a more substantial loaf, give this buckwheat flour mix a go: equal parts brown rice flour, white rice flour, buckwheat flour, and tapioca flour. This version will be a tad denser and brown more swiftly, so you might need to cover it with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking time.
Keep in mind, this date and walnut bread is super adaptable! Reduce the sweetener and go for a more savory version if you fancy. Personally, I prefer it softly sweetened with a slather of butter. But you can serve it up as a fantastic accompaniment with cheese and fruit paste. Regardless, this loaf is an absolute winner!
Serves: 1 loafDifficulty Level: EasyTotal Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:- 1 tsp walnut oil- 1 cup organic raw walnut halves, roughly chopped- 1 cup organic dried pitted dates, chopped- 3/4 cup very hot filtered water- 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt- 1/2 cup organic honey- 2 organic eggs, lightly beaten- 1 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract- 1/2 cup white rice flour- 1/2 cup brown rice flour- 1/2 cup potato flour- 1 tsp xanthan gum- 1/2 tsp baking powder- 1/2 tsp baking soda- 1-2 tablespoons rose water (optional)- Gluten-free flour mix (can be made with brown rice flour, white rice flour, buckwheat flour, and tapioca flour)
Instructions:1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Oil the inside of a 1-liter loaf tin.2. In a mixer or large bowl, combine the walnuts, dates, and honey, along with a pinch of baking soda and sea salt. Stir in the hot water, then mix in the rose water (if using).3. Toss in the eggs and vanilla and blend thoroughly. Gradually add in your chosen flour to create a thick batter.4. Pour the batter into your bread tin and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.5. Cool the loaf on a rack before slicing (wait at least an hour—it'll continue to bake as it cools!).6. Enjoy this adaptation, with love from Delicious Magazine!
(If you're eager to know more about rose water and its uses, keep reading! We've got some musings on how you can spin this recipe to your heart's content.)
Fancy experimenting with rose water? Here are some ideas:
- Classic Date and Walnut Bread with Rose Water:
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives.
- Blend the wet mixture in a processor before combining with the dry ingredients.
- Spiced Date and Walnut Bread with Rose Water:
- Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- Moroccan-Inspired Date and Walnut Bread:
- Mix in 1 tablespoon orange blossom water and 1/4 cup chopped pistachios.
- Persian-Style Date and Walnut Cake:
- Replace some flour with almond meal.
- Create a rose water glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and additional rose water.
- Walnut and Honey Glaze:
- Whip up a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with honey and chopped walnuts.
With these variations, you can create a unique bread experience that combines the sweetness of dates and walnuts with the floral tones of rose water! Enjoy your culinary adventure!
- For a free-from version of this fantastic Rose Water Infused Date and Walnut Loaf, you can replace the walnut oil with a neutral oil or simply omit it if you're on a tight budget.
- To cater to gluten-sensitive individuals, feel free to substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend consisting of brown rice flour, white rice flour, buckwheat flour, and tapioca flour.
- If you wish to add an extra nutritional boost to your loaf, consider substituting a portion of the white rice flour with gluten-free oat flour or almond flour.
- To give your loaf a pleasant crunch, you can add 1/2 cup of free nuts of your choice (such as pecans or hazelnuts) to the batter before baking.
