Lemon Coconut Loaf

This next recipe evolved as a deep set need (read: insane craving) to consume whole yellow citrus in an edible and fairly appealing way. Yes, a citrus lover's dream come true, or maybe my solution to the visions that chase me down, of mammoth lemons trying to consume me whole, instead of it being the other way around (?). No folks, rested sleep mine is not. Press fast forward, though and we reach the end, reeling in my lemon(s) to mega loaf form, a lemon bread, so worth the chase and conquer endured to get to it. Today fantasy became my reality as this lemon coconut loaf came into being, not of those mammoth proportions, perhaps, but, undoubtedly possessing rare giantess flavor. Of course, sweet dreams are made of these and yes, freakishly scary how my mind works, right?
Shall we then, further on?

Lemon coconut loaf is a simple production, starring ingredient being,of course, the one, maybe two lemons used in its making. The luminary which pulls in those familiar tanged flavor bursts, is a transparent character basic needed in doing any tart dessert ensemble. Accompanying roles include a fair portion of bright buttermilk for softer-than-silk texture, almost true to that of pound cake, but without Pound's excess fat. Standout performances by a wee of sugared ginger and a cup's half of flaky coconut are in line with the few dozen elements, all working in brilliant interplay. Each individual ingredient is magnificently pitched to bring about an overall structured and better than most sweet loaf.

Though lemon coconut loaf is the height of casual everyday snack cake perfection, it can be instantly glammed with its accessorizing glaze to suit any monumental occasion.

The whole process takes less than an hour and a half from your day, counting bake time. Not bad, since I completely forgot about this Day Devoted To Love And All Things Sweet and immediately worked to make things right. Charming Valentine's treat, here you come!

Now, one question remains. What do you when the whole 9X5 loaf is polished off, way before the day is done, much before those key people that qualify as Valentines are even home?

Didn't someone once say, perfection always demands a repeat performance? Alas, once again.

 ( Lightly adapted from a thread off a recipe from The Old Farmer's Almanac)

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ c all purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 c sugar
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 4 tbsp oil (I used canola, but any cooking oil should do)
• ¾ c buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 2 tsp finely chopped crystallized ginger
• ½ c dessicated coconut

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Grease 9X5 loaf pan or one of similar dimensions.
• In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.
• In mixing bowl of electric mixer, on medium speed, beat together sugar butter, oil, buttermilk until well combined until pale and creamy.
• Add eggs one by one, beating after each addition.
• Have all the ingredients well combined.
• Alternatively, slowly work in flour with lemon juice, starting and ending with flour. Mix well with each addition.
• Add lemon zest, ginger pieces, and coconut. Mix again.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• In the meantime, make glaze.

The original recipe was changed here and there and I replaced the milk in it for lemon juice. For a less tart flavor (non-understandable since it is a lemon loaf) replace lemon juice with 1/4 c milk instead.

Loaf pan that I fell in love with, but never used, until today.

Ingredients:

• 1 c confectioner's sugar
• 1-2 tsp fresh lemon juice (depending on your need for tart)
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• ¼ c dessicated coconut
• 1 tbsp coconut milk(canned) or regular milk

Directions:

• In a bowl, whisk confectioner's sugar with lemon juice and coconut milk until smooth.
• Mix in zest and coconut. 
• Slowly drizzle in and combine coconut milk.
• Spoon over loaf or on individual servings.

Shocked as I was, taking a lookback, I forgot that BFMK had crossed the one year mark. Start date -Feb 3rd, 2012. First recipe? Banana chocolate chip loaf. No it wasn't planned but this loaf recipe really makes a great year one recipe marker. Unless I get all crazy and decide on making a grand cake, perhaps? Or maybe just look at this one.

The best thing about all the cooking, typing, eating, phototaking and the like? Sharing it with you guys. As it can never be enough, my gratitude goes to every single one- readers, encouragers, fellow bloggers and just about anyone who has shared in Blessings love. Thank you.

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Happy Valentine's day~

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)