I drew inspiration for this bread from Chuck at CookingBread.com. If you haven't checked out his droolworthy blog, you're missing out. The guy knows his bread. Knowing that, I dared to mess with his recipe and create my own.
I haven't had a whole lot of "luck" with making strawberry breads in the past as I find that strawberries tend to lose a lot of their flavor in the baking process. So for this bread, I purchased some very special French strawberries from my local farmstand (Chino Farms.) I asked the guy what the difference was between the $3 and $5 baskets. He had a difficult time explaining how wonderful the French ($5) ones were, so he popped one in my mouth and let me decide for myself. Oooo la la... the farmer was right. Those French people did something to these strawberries that make them in a class all their own.
A bit more petite, juicier and waaaaaay more flavorful than your average everyday strawberry, they were definitely worth the extra $2. Kind of a splurge, but I was sold when I tasted them. We only got to eat a few, because the rest went into this bread.
The result: A good, moist banana bread with a slight strawberry flavor. I have a feeling though that if you don't have really juicy, flavorful strawberries, you might not get much flavor in the bread from your berries. You don't have to use fancy French strawberries, but keep on the lookout to try them sometime. Of course you could always try this with raspberries or blueberries or some other kind of berry that you have access to.Enjoy with a cuppa coffee.
This recipe can be found HERE.
I don't think I've ever seen the French strawberries at the market.
ReplyDeletemmmmm. It's true, you never can have enough banana bread recipes! and this one looks like a keeper :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful summer loaf...very nice. I hear you about those banana breads, I have so many bananas in my freezer, and actually plan on baking up a storm this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love banana bread and this one sounds great! Your pictures are quite pretty. I never seem to be able to photograph bread quite right.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep my eyes peeled for these French Strawberries at the market.
French strawberries I will only have to imagine. I will try this with our BC strawberries and it will be delish I'm sure!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the berries-- somehow they turn into watery mush or something :) I'm not sure I will ever see a French strawberry here, but we have our own tiny, sturdier berries-- not as flavorful though :/
ReplyDeleteStrawberry-banana is one of those awesome smoothie combinations-- this is a fantastic version!
I adore banana bread!
ReplyDeleteI always have bad luck baking with strawberries, but maybe it's because I'm not buying French strawberries!! This looks delish!
ReplyDeleteCertainly looks like it takes the cake! LOL! This really looks good enough to be cake Lori!
ReplyDeleteooh...now you've enticed me to finally go over to check out Chino Farms! Would love to sample some French strawberries!!
ReplyDeleteOooo la la that is one gorgeous strawberry banana bread!
ReplyDeleteAre any strawberries sold in France, French strawberries? I just bought strawberries from the grocery store last week (in France) and they were pretty damn good. I was hoping that I'd have as much success at home being that strawberries are in season.
ReplyDeleteThis recipe may be my first attempt at getting back on the bread wagon after this debacle.
Sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could imagine anything better unless I was eating it! Yummy
ReplyDeleteToo true....there can never be enough banana bread recipes. I must have five! Adding strawberries just screams 'summer!!'
ReplyDeleteMmmm, what a great combo! I just posted a strawberry recipe as well. I think I'll have to try your bread with my leftover strawberries! Sounds like a great recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh boy! I'd love a slice of that bread with my morning coffee! It looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe only French strawberries I've ever seen were in France. They were outstanding. Were yours grown locally or imported? I'd love to get my hands on one of those plants!
i would've had a hard time parting with the strawberries for bread-making purposes, but it looks like it was worth it. banana bread rocks, but strawberry banana bread is headbangin'. :)
ReplyDeleteMy kind of banana bread! With a twist that is :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great bread. I'd be calling that breakfast for a few days...and dessert, lol. Also, interesting about french strawberries..all I ever see is from FL or CA...
ReplyDeleteI love banana bread - this looks delicious. I have tagged you for a meme
ReplyDeleteI love banana bread and this does look good.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought that banana bread on its own just couldn't get any better; and now you create this strawberry-oatmeal variety!! Brilliant!! I wish I could taste it! :0)
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI have a blog award for you! A much deserved one at that :)
The strawberries really bring this banana bread into summertime. I just love the flavor combination.
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