High-Protein Cranberry Mandarin Nut Loaf Recipe By Tom From Ireland by Elisa Schmitz

There may be nothing more comforting than a fresh-baked loaf of bread. And, when that bread is loaded with interesting ingredients that add flavor and nutrition, it's just that much better. Take this high-protein cranberry mandarin nut loaf recipe, for example. It was created by 30Seconds community member Tom from Ireland, who was inspired to make it after enjoying my high-protein Mediterranean feta bread recipes. I love that he took the idea and created an all-new delicious and nutritious bread recipe!

This sweet and savory bread recipe includes nutritious ingredients found in the Mediterranean Diet. Tom says, "I made a variation on your walnut loaf today, adding apple-infused cranberries and mandarin orange slices and zest. Very very very many thanks for the inspiration."

The combination of savory ingredients with the sweet-tart cranberries and mandarin oranges is delicious in this flavorful bread. In addition to their tangy flavor, cranberries provide antioxidants and may help with gut health, among the other health benefits of cranberries. Mandarin oranges are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, among the health benefits of mandarins. The walnuts have healthy omega-3 fatty acids, among the other health benefits of walnuts. This tasty loaf also incorporates the health benefits of cottage cheese and protein-rich Greek yogurt. It also features feta cheese, which is considered to be one of the healthiest cheeses.

To make this nutritious high-protein loaf, you'll need to gather the following ingredients: eggs, cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, flour, baking powder, salt, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, mandarin zest, black olives and chopped walnuts. You whip the cottage cheese with the eggs in a blender. Next, you make the batter then bake the loaf until it's golden.

Serve this nutritious and delicious bread as an energizing snack, for lunch or with just about dinner. It also works well for breakfast or for brunch. It's even more delicious when toasted in the oven!

Cuisine: American / Mediterranean 
Prep Time: 15 minutes 
Cook Time: 40 to 55 minutes (ovens vary) 
Total Time: 50 to 65 minutes 
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries (Tom used apple-infused cranberries)
• 2 mandarin oranges, in sections then sliced into chunks
• zest of 1 mandarin
• 1/3 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Recipe Notes

• You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour.

• Instead of mozzarella cheese, you can use Parmesan, if preferred.

• Tom used apple-infused cranberries, but regular dried cranberries work fine, too. He notes, "I did intend to add honey, but I forgot it."

• Tom suggests trying different tapenades with the bread, "maybe accompanied by slices of different cheeses." Sounds good to me!

• Store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This bread is extra delicious when toasted in a toaster oven or regular oven (or on a George Foreman grill, as Tom does).

Here's how to make it:

1. In a blender, add the eggs and cottage cheese. Whip until smooth, about 30 seconds.
2. Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the Greek yogurt and whisk to blend.
3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well to combine.
4. Add the feta and mozzarella. Stir to combine.
5. Fold in the cranberries, mandarins, mandarin zest, olives and and walnuts until incorporated.
   
6. Evenly spread the batter into an 8x4-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 to 55 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test. (If the loaf is getting too brown on top, cover it with aluminum foil.)
8. Allow loaf to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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