This delicious loaf is full of goodness thanks to the addition of grated courgettes and carrots, as well as rich Red Leicester cheese and spicy paprika. It's a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables, and is ideal for packing into a lunchbox.
Ingredients
160g (5 1/2oz) courgettes, grated
160g (5 1/2oz) carrots, grated
350g (12oz) plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp paprika
3 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp honey
80ml (3fl oz) olive oil
a handful of fresh chives
80g (3oz) Red Leicester cheese, grated
Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Grease and line a 1kg (2lb) loaf tin with baking parchment or a loaf-tin liner. Grate the courgettes and carrots then squeeze out as much excess water as you can. The best way to do this is either leave in a sieve over a bowl, sprinkled with 1 tsp of salt, for 15 mins, then press down to remove any excess. Or, wrap in a sheet of muslin and squeeze out the liquid that way.
Put the flour, salt, baking powder, black pepper, garlic and paprika in a large bowl. In another bowl whisk together the eggs, honey and oil until combined, add the grated and drained vegetables along with the chives and three quarters of the cheese.
Fold the wet into the dry ingredients; work quickly as over mixing will make the bread tough. Pour into the prepared tin, scatter on the rest of the cheese and bake for about 35-40 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.