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     My SIL, Geri came from a strong Portuguese family.  She was the oldest of 7 children, born into a family with strong ties, religious beliefs and traditions.  She was very proud of them and helped to carry on the traditions as she grew into adulthood.  I wrote about Geri on another post, when she passed away unexpectedly.  It is amazing to realize, as I think about her, what a mark she left on her husband's, my brother's family as well. There are so many things that I see in my day to day routine that remind me of her on almost a daily basis.  She was a great example of how to keep family ties strong.
     One of the traditions that she kept with her mother, that was a long held tradition in the Portuguese culture, was to make the sweet Easter Bread with the colored egg inside.  They would make this bread in large batches and give the loaves away to friends and family.  By virtue of marriage, our family became the lucky recipients of these tasty loaves every year.  Even when I married and lived away from home, Geri would mail my husband and I a loaf of this wonderful Portuguese Easter Bread. 
     Then, one year, I was asked to teach a bread baking class and I thought of this bread and thought it would be a great loaf to teach.  I wrote my SIL and asked about the bread and if I could possibly have the recipe.  Geri sent me a variety of recipes and variations, plus the cultural history of the bread.  Her mother's recipe was large, calling for 10 pounds of flour! I was a little overwhelmed by that and didn't end up including this bread in my class.  But, I always kept the recipe and the letter she sent, intending to tackle the recipe one day. Well! Today was the day!  3 of my grandchildren helped me to color the eggs (you can see them above) and we set about making the bread. I am so happy to share with you Portuguese Easter Bread and its story, via the words of my dear sister-in-law, Geri. 

     "The sweet bread is traditionally made for Easter and given away to friends and family.  This is a tradition my mom sticks to.  
      Keep the dough warm! We make the loaves in cake pans. Before you put it in the pans, knead each loaf to get out all the air bubbles, but don't work it too long."

     "A hard boiled egg goes in the middle with 2 strips of dough forming a cross.  This symbolizes death and resurrection-Christ's triumphant victory!"

     Geri went on to say, "As you can see from the recipes i found, everyone has their own variation.  I don't even know my grandma Dias' recipe-my dad always liked his mother-in-laws recipe better.  It was a lot sweeter.
     In the Azores, 'the old country', sweetbread is made into little birdies or individual loaves and given to people on the street during the traditional village celebrations when they bless the cows and give away milk. (Geri grew up on her dad's dairy farm!) The celebrations take place after Pentecost.  There's usually  1 or 2 a week all during the summer on the Island of Terceira.  The Portuguese in California have continued to have the celebrations.  Instead of sweetbread, they serve a type of stew, "soupas".  They serve anyone who comes regardless of race, color or religion.  They do it to honor the Holy Spirit. The Portuguese Community donates everything.  They also take pans of soupas to the sick, elderly or anyone who can't come.  They have a parade, a mass, a few dances and serve the soupas at lunch and dinner.  As kids, we always participated in one way or another in the parades.  A big and little queen is chosen to represent Queen Elizabeth who fed the poor.  Some towns really go all out!"  
     Can you feel the love and pride that she had in her culture and family as she wrote me these words?  I wish that I had made the bread before she left us so I could tell her about my experience. 
        I am going to share my adapted version of the Sweet Bread Recipe.  Sorry I don't have the Soupas recipe.  I am sure it is delicious though and if I can get it from my brother, I will share it with you. 

Sweet Portuguese Easter Bread

This delicious bread is a wonderful tradition! Perhaps you would like to incorporate it into your family's Easter plans. The symbolism of this bread is especially appropriate because when Geri wrote of "Christ's Triumphant Victory," it reminded me that she had the faith to know that we would all be together again because of that victory and so do I.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Raise your hand if you love fruit cake! 
Hmmm, I didn't think so.  I once heard a joke that there has actually only been one fruit cake ever made and it keeps being re-gifted year after year.  All of that gummy candied fruit inside a sweet bread sometimes soaked in rum? I. just. can't. But, I do really enjoy a good sweet loaf of bread.  Today is Date-Nut Bread Day! Who knew?  And while I don't think I have actually ever eaten Date Nut Bread, this day has inspired today's Merry Friday Fave #45! 

What is your favorite flavor of sweet loaf bread?

Sweet loaves of bread are so great to give as gifts to friends during the holidays. They stir up pretty quickly, they make the house smell good and warm it up. You can give a loaf or make mini loaves or give slices on a tray of goodies, so sweet bread is very versatile.  Not to mention all of the delicious flavors and ingredients you can make. 

Madalynn says that she really likes Cinnamon Raisin Bread.  Either of the recipes above can have raisins added to them and it would be awesome! The Cinnamon rolls are made with sprouted wheat. We turned the loaf into French Toast because I love French Toast.

So, skip the fruit cake and try one of these recipes.  Your family will thank you.  Any of them would be great gifts.  Perfect for those last minute remembrances! 

Merry Christmas from our homes to yours! We will talk to you next Tuesday! 
​Helen

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     There is just something about these mornings during the holidays that put me in the mood for something warm and tasty for breakfast that has just the right sweetness and is comforting and delicious.  This morning I have the perfect recipe to check off all of those breakfast wants: Cranberry, Banana Orange Muffins and/or Mini Loaves.   
    

     I had some fresh cranberries and ripe bananas that I needed to use and this recipe just came to me and seemed like the perfect solution.  I am so pleased with how they turned out because I haven't baked with fresh cranberries very much and I got a little worried when Madalynn asked me (as I was mixing them into my batter) if I had ever eaten a cranberry whole and fresh.  I replied that I hadn't and she said that she had and that they were gross.  She told me that I should try one! I said that now that I knew they were gross, I didn't want to try one.  So, I wondered if they would be gross in the muffins.  Guess what! They aren't gross at all! The combination of the banana and orange with the tang of the cranberries is just perfect!  And, the muffins are light and fluffy, not heavy at all. There is just the right amount of sweetness.  I ate a warm one, I will let you know later how they taste when they are cool.

     I think that those mini loaves will look great on a give away platter! They are so cute and just big enough to share with someone. You can order it from our affiliate partner Amazon here.

     I picked up those cute muffin cups somewhere last year and forgot to use them until this year.  I love how they make my muffins stand up so tall and perky! Here are some similar ones in many designs, and here are some jumbo ones!
​    Now, on to the recipe! 

Cranberry, Orange, Banana Muffins And Mini Loaves

When you unwrap them from their casings, they look so cute! 

      I think a cup of Hot Cocoa Bomb would be just the thing to go with one of these muffins! 
I hope you give them a try, you won't be disappointed! 
      PS-Madalynn didn't find the cranberries in the muffins gross.  She gobbled down most of my muffin! 
        PPS- I just ate a cold one and it was still so delicious.  Moist with cranberry surprises, the hint of banana and orange that don't over power.  You will love these! 

And, on another topic, Have you seen the great buys on Kindle Fires on Amazon? I might have to get one for myself this year! (jk) (hint)