Strawberry loaf

To get us all in the mood now the temperatures are warming up, and in preparation for those strawberry picking days, I thought I'd share my recipe for Strawberry Loaf.  I can't claim it as my own, it's off one of those Sainsbury cards you pick up.

Anyway...here we go

Place 300g of strawberries, quartered and with green tops chopped off, in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.  Mash with a fork and set aside.  In a medium bowl, combine 300g self raising flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt then set aside.  In a separate bowl, whisk 75g unsalted butter, 225g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla essence and 2 large eggs until fluffy.  Gradually add the flour mixture and 80ml cold water (which I forgot to add, but mine didn't seem to need it), stirring continuously, then fold in the mashed strawberries.  Scrape the batter into a greased loaf tin, smooth the top and bake in a preheated oven at 180c, fan 160c, gas 4 for 50mins.

Leave to cool, then turn out.  Cut into slices, spread with clotted cream and top with slices of fresh strawberry for a delightful taste of summer!!

Here's mine (despite looking like mice have been at it) and the verdict was 10/10.

Lastly, I just thought I'd show you a photo of our azalea which is thriving at the moment. We've had it 8 years and it hasn't flowered since we got it and now look at it.