This beet bread has a fantastic color and is great for dessert or a sweet breakfast.

Beet Bread (Photo by Gabriel Hasser)

Ingredients

• 2-3 red beets
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup turbinado sugar
• 2 portions egg replacer (such as Ener-G)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. First, boil beets until fork soft.  Run the cooked beets under cold water so you can peel them by hand, then grate until you have about 2 cups of grated beets.
2. In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, and egg replacer.  Once combined, stir in vanilla, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add flour and mix until the flour is completely incorporated.  Fold grated beets, pecans, and raisins.
4. Thoroughly coat a loaf pan with cooking spray, then pour in batter.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Having trouble thinking up plans to treat Mom for Mothers’ Day (it’s coming up very soon – May 12)?  How about preparing a nice picnic lunch at your local city or state park to enjoy the nice spring weather!  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Division has put up some resources for to help plan your picnic in Texas State Parks.  TPWD has even put together a page of picnic-friendly recipes, two of which from yours truly at Coseppi Kitchen!

Have a picnic in the park!

If  you’re not in Texas, check your local state parks agency to find information about utilizing your local resources to have a great time outdoors!

Austin Bakes is a citywide bake sale benefiting recovery efforts in West, Texas after the terrible fertilizer plant explosion that happened there on April 17.  Home and professional bakers from around Austin will provide treats for the bake sale, happening at 8 locations (see flyer attached to this post) around town from 10AM until 2PM this Saturday, May 4. To get involved, visit www.austinbakes.com. Donations are also being accepted at FirstGiving before and during the bake sale.

Austin Bakes for West

Celery Root and Potato Patty

These vegan patties were inspired by our friend and neighbor, Brian, who claims that celery root burgers are a popular food item in his home country of Denmark.  Brian sent us his notes for making patties, which we have adapted into this recipe.

We highly recommend using a food processor with a grater disk to prep the potatoes, carrot, and celery root.