Banana Bread

Daily Caffeine Count: 1

It's only 1030am, and I've already put a loaf of banana bread in the oven, eaten my leftover sushi for breakfast (yes I know it's a little weird) and finished an episode of the Biggest Loser. I'm supposed to be cleaning, but I wanted to do something I'd enjoy before hours and hours of chores. 

So, the banana bread. I got this recipe from my mom. It uses Greek yogurt, which I think makes it more moist. I also used Splenda instead of sugar, but I do that in all my recipes. Anything to try and make it a bit healthier.

It's best to use aging bananas, since they're mushy. You'll need a loaf pan, preferably 9 x 5 x 3, but I'm sure the bread won't be ruined if your pan varies. 

I took out some pent up anger on the bananas and mashed them up, but not too much - there were still a few lumps.

Then I added the eggs, yogurt, butter, and vanilla and combined. This mixture looks a little icky, to be honest. 

In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. I love the stark contrast of the cinnamon against all the white ingredients. Yeah, I'm a dork.

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones. I did it in stages adding a bit of the dry ingredients, then folding, add some more, fold it in etc. This mixture also does not look very appealing. . .

 Scrape the mixture into the loaf pan.

Bake on a low rack in the oven for 50 mins. I checked mine with a toothpick, and it wasn't coming out completely clean, so I stuck it back in for two and a half minutes, and again for one more minute because I still wasn't convinced it was done. Then I set it on a cooling rack for 5 mins, then took it out of the pan (carefully!) and back onto the wire cooling rack. 

Here is the banana bread fresh out of the oven. It smells delicious. 

Sidebar: in the middle of the checking and rechecking, I decided to load the dishwasher and dropped a bowl. Typical. 

So here is the recipe I used below. Since it came from my mom, it may or may not sound English. 

Banana Bread
4 very ripe bananas peeled and mashed
½ cup Greek style yogurt
4 tbsp butter melted (or vegetable oil. I've used both and it comes out fine)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar ( I used Splenda)
½ cup toasted walnuts (pecans) coarsely chopped (optional)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. Butter (or use nonstick cooking spray) 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan

Combine the bananas, yogurt, butter, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl, stirring to blend.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, walnuts, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture and stir until fully incorporated.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake on a low oven rack for about 50 mins until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. 

Let cool for 5 mins in the pan.

Yum! I think I'm going to add some Nutella spread while it's still warm so the Nutella gets all nice and melty. 

I was hoping to get some Succotash made before S gets home with mini S, but I don't think that's going to happen. I have to go to school to check on my experiments that might give false results if I leave them over Spring Break. Ah, the craziness never ends. I have to give myself props though, for getting all my work done, for getting all my school work done, for getting all S's Spanish done and all while being sick. I still have pressure in my face in the mornings, which is awkward and I still can't shake this cough. But I'm feeling better, and knowing I can do all of that while not 100% has given me inspiration to just "go and do!" now that I am feeling much better.

Happy Saturday! Enjoy some banana bread =)