Cranberry Nut Bread Recipe

No. of Servings: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

Cranberry Nut Bread Ingredients:
2 cups of all purpose flour
Granulated sugar about 3/4 cup
Baking powder – 1&1/2 teaspoon
I cup of chopped up cranberries
1/2 – 3/4 cup of roughly chopped up walnuts
Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 large egg beaten well
1/4 cup of melted butter
3/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon of finely grated orange peel
Lemon extract can be used instead of the orange juice if the former is not available

Method:
The oven should be preheated to 350 degree F. Take a large bowl and put in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and salt. Now add the walnuts and the cranberries and mix well till they are evenly spread. Take a smaller bowl and pour in the orange juice, the grated orange peel, the melted butter and the beaten egg. Add this to the large bowl containing the flour mixture and stir well using a wooden spoon. Grease a loaf pan with cooking grease or butter and bake it for an hour or so at 350 degree F. To test whether it is done, insert a tooth pick to the centre and check if it comes out clean. Allow it to cool in the pan for ten minutes and then remove and place on the rack for about another ten minutes till it cools down completely.

Cranberries Health Benefits:

• Cranberries contain chemical compounds which are excellent antioxidants and are capable of decreasing the adherence of harmful bacteria to the epithelium cells in the bladder. Hence it is capable of reducing the risk of and preventing infections of the urinary tract. Cranberries are capable of blocking E coli bacterial strands from sticking onto the uterus and bacteria. It inhibits the function of bacteria capable of causing plaque on the teeth and recent research indicates that it is capable of reducing the risk of heart disease as well as the development of kidney stones.

• Walnuts are a rich source of protein, fiber, most of the B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin, vitamin E (which works as an antioxidant), magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids which are good for the body. Walnuts like cranberries are known to reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent the formation of plaque to a large extent. Studies have also proven that they can help reduce cholesterol levels in the body.