Orange Ginger Loaf

A quick fruit bread with the zesty flavor of ginger and orange. I love baking quick breads as you can experiment with different flavors and ingredients.This spongy loaf is a perfect breakfast option around the holidays or just a snack with hot cocoa. Use nuts,dried fruits or cranberries to give a real festive look. I had some candied ginger and decided to try baking with it. Try this you will surely love it.

Ingredients
All purpose flour- 3 cup
Eggs-2
Butter- 1/2 stick/4 tbs
Baking powder- 1 1/3 tsp
Baking soda- 3/4 tsp
Salt- 1/2 tsp
Sugar- 3/4 cup
Candied Ginger- 1/3 cup (chopped)
Orange juice- 3/4 cup
Orange zest- 1 tsp
Banana-2
Vanilla essence- 11/2 tsp

For the glaze
Juice of one orange
Sugar- 1/4 cup
powdered ginger-1/3 tsp
Shredded candied ginger- 1 tsp

Pre heat oven to 375 degree F and grease and prepare loaf tin.
In a bowl mix together flour, baking powder,baking soda,salt and set aside.
Whisk butter and sugar till it is light and fluffy. Add egg and beat till thick and pale. Add mashed banana,orange zest, orange juice and vanilla extract and mix.
Note : make sure the bananas are really ripe and mash it nicely. If you are using frozen bananas allow it to come to room temperature before adding to the batter.
Now add the dry ingredients and candied ginger and fold in. If you feel that it is a thick batter adjust consistency by add the juice of one orange.
Pour into prepared loaf tin. Add some grated candied ginger and bake for 35- 40 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow this to cool in the pan/loaf tin. While the cake is still warm make the glaze. Heat sugar, orange juice,powdered ginger and candied ginger. Heat slightly till the sugar dissolves. Poke holes in the loaf before pouring the glaze on top. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the loaf. Allow it to cool down completely before slicing.