Pineapple Cheese Loaf

disclaimer:: this picture has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with this post...I just think it is beautiful. It is an Australian Rainbow Bee Eater... done in pastels...I bought it on ebay. Love this lady's work.

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Is it Thursday?

Our Mom didn't bake a lot....as a matter of fact she didn't cook much at all. There were lots of underlying factors; so, we didn't really expect much and knew better than to ask.. We ate a lot of toast...made it ourselves from the time we were about 5...... or sandwiches.... I remember we always knew it was Thursday if she made mashed potatoes,sausages and creamed corn. ick...still makes me shiver to say it out loud. Once, several years ago, I made it just for a laugh when my sister was visiting me. It wasn't Thursday..., but she looked right at me and asked, "is it Thursday"? We hooted. Poor Mom... hope she knows we loved her in spite of our silly jokes about her culinary talents. Honestly, every so often she would make a loaf or a birthday cake for one of us four, or some little cookies...and we absolutely loved it. She really did a great job when she did bake.... was always very precise in her measuring...so clean and careful with every little ingredient...of course, you sure as heck didn't waste a speck of anything in those days ... no wonder she was afraid to bake. The expense..... but, back to it.... I remember her saying that careful measuring was the key to having baking turn out right. How often I still hear that today...read it in all the cook books..... even see it in info from the pastry chefs. Once again...Mom had it right...

This is one of the loaves she used to surprise us with every so often.... quite tasty even if it sounds like an odd combination.

Pineapple Cheese Loaf

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt (optional..I never use it ..I find enough in butter or marg).

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup crushed pineapple

2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

1 large egg

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like walnuts).

Line bottom of loaf pan with waxed paper, or grease and flour the pan. Into mixing bowl, sift first 5 ingredients. Combine vanilla, pineapple, shortening and egg, stir into dry ingredients until they are moistened.

Lightly stir in cheese and nuts; transfer to prepared pan; let stand 15 minutes.

Bake at 325 -350 F. about 60 minutes.