Lazy Summer Afternoon Baking...YUM.

It has been a rough week. And I was indignant that the last weekend of August here in Chicago, turned to be one hot one. 90+ degrees and humid - now what an introduction to Fall is that? Grr.

Anyway, I figured if it was hot as hell outside, I would be better off making use of some heat indoors under the watchful hum of my air conditioner. A big AH-HA moment, came when I espied the large zucchini my husband and I had harvested yesterday from our little garden sitting on the kitchen counter.

Zucchini Bread. No wait - how about a Spicy Zucchini Bread - with some of those delicious, spices from my favorite spice supplier, eSutras Organics

Nett result?
DELISH. MOIST YUMMY BREAD !

Here is how you can make this beauty.

Zucchini Bread Spiced
Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons Garam Masala (eSutras Organics)
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• ¼ tsp Clove ground (eSutras Organics)
• ¼ tsp Fennel ground (eSutras Organics)
• ¼ tsp Black peppercorns coarse ground (eSutras Organics)
• ¼ tsp Nutmeg ground (eSutras Organics)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon chopped dry dates

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and all dry spices, except black pepper together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. If you feel energetic, knead with your hands. It always makes for a better bread.
4. Stir in zucchini dates and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
5. Sprinkle coarsely ground pepper and sesame seeds on the top of the batter.
6. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes.
8. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool. Enjoy.