Helen Goh’s spring vegetable loaf

This flavourful savoury loaf is packed with vegetables and a delight to eat when slathered with soft, salted butter. If your asparagus spears are on the thick side, slice them just a little thinner so they don’t snag on the knife when you cut into the loaf.

Za’atar can vary enormously depending on the particular blend of nuts, herbs and spices, but it adds a deliciously bright, earthy and herby undertone to this loaf.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter, plus 1 tbsp extra, softened
1 large leek (200g), trimmed, outer layers discarded, then halved and thinly sliced
200g mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 tsp salt, divided
200g asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed and discarded, sliced into 1cm lengths
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 tbsp thyme leaves, chopped
200g baby spinach leaves
30g walnuts, finely chopped
60g parmesan, finely grated, plus 20g extra, finely grated
270g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
3 large eggs
150g plain Greek yoghurt or sour cream
100ml olive oil
2 tbsp za’atar
salted butter, at room temperature, to serve

1. Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan, then add the leek, mushroom and ½ tsp salt. Sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened, then add the asparagus, garlic and thyme. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms give up their moisture and begin to brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool a little.

2. Bring a full kettle of water to a boil. Place the baby spinach leaves in a large heatproof bowl and pour boiling water over to cover. Leave for 1 minute, then drain in a sieve and cool under cold running water. Squeeze the spinach firmly to remove excess water, then chop finely and add to the frying pan with the cooling leeks, mushrooms and asparagus.

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3. Preheat oven to 175C fan-forced (195C conventional). Brush the inside of a loaf tin (20cm x 11cm x 6cm, or 1.4L) all over with the 1 tbsp extra softened butter. Combine the walnut and the 20g extra parmesan in a small bowl, then tip into the tin. Shake and tap to coat the bottom and sides, then tip the excess back into the small bowl and reserve for the topping. Place the tin in the fridge for now.

4. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and remaining ½ tsp salt in a medium bowl.

5. Place the eggs and yoghurt (or sour cream) in a large mixing bowl and whisk well until thoroughly combined. Add the 100ml olive oil and continue to mix until fully incorporated, then add the vegetable mixture, the 60g parmesan, za’atar and sifted flour mixture. Stir and fold with a silicone spatula until just combined – there should be no floury streaks visible in the batter, but be careful not to over-mix as it will produce a rubbery texture.