Dried Fruit Bread 10/96

Categories:
breads

1 cup dried pears
1 cup dried peaches
1 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup dried cherries (optional)
3 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 grated peel of one orange
1 orange part only
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
2/3 cup liquid from cooking fruit
2/3 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

Place pears, peaches, and raisins in a saucepan with water to cover and simmer gently for five minutes. Drain and reserve liquid. Chop the pears and peaches coarsely. Cut the dates in thirds and add them, along with the cherries, to the other fruit. In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar together. Add the egg and grated peel, and mix well. In another bowl combine the flours, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices. Add them to the creamed mixture alternately with the fruit cooking liquid. Fold in the fruits and seeds, and mix just enough to combine thoroughly. Spoon the batter into a greased pan and let stand 15 minutes. Bake at 350 until a tester comes out clean. About 60 minutes. Cool in pans for ten minutes and then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Yield: 1 loaf