Pear-Bacon-Cheddar-Walnut Bread

Adapted from Dorie Greenspan
Makes 1 loaf or about 20 muffins

5 bacon slices, chopped
5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, divided: 3 1/2 ounces shredded, 1 1/2 ounces diced into small quarter-inch cubes
1 pear, diced into small pieces, or about 3/4 cup
1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 large eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
About 1/3 cup milk

1. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously butter 8×4 inch metal loaf pan, or use nonstick muffin tins.

2. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.

3. Measure olive oil in glass measuring cup, add vinegar, and enough milk to measure up to 2/3 cup total liquid. Let sit about five minutes, then whisk in eggs to blend.

4. Combine bacon, all cheese, diced pear, walnuts, and sage in medium bowl. Whisk flour, flaxseed, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in large bowl to blend.

5. Pour egg mixture over flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Add bacon-cheese mixture and stir until incorporated (dough will be very sticky). Distribute dough evenly among muffin tins; or transfer to prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.

6. Bake bread until golden on top and slender knife inserted into center of bread comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes for muffins, or 40-45 minutes for loaf. Remove muffins as soon as possible to a cooling rack. If using loaf pan, cool bread in pan 5 minutes, then turn out onto rack and cool completely.



Notes:

1. This bread can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap in plastic, then foil, and store at room temperature.
2. Be sure not to overmix the dough when adding the cheese, pears, and etc.! It is very easy to do, since it’s so thick and sticky.
3. Again, it’s best if all your ingredients are at room temperature. They’ll mix more easily, and produce a better result. Eggs and milk, I’m looking at you!