Banana Bread

This all-time favorite is easy to make and delicious. A great way to use up over-ripe bananas, banana bread is always a welcome gift at potlucks or when visiting friends and neighbors. Our family like our special “ambrosia” version of banana bread with coconut, rum flavoring and lots of spices like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. The addition of fruits plus protein powder, tofu or eggs makes the recipe a good solid food that’s almost a meal in itself. Dressed up or plain, banana bread deserves its good reputation as a staple snack and dessert food – and it’s really nice toasted for breakfast!

3 C flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 to 1 1/2 C. sugar – to taste

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 to 1  C chopped nuts

2-3 mashed ripe medium bananas (1 1/2 – 2 cups)

2 eggs (vegans can substitute equivalent weight of tofu or use soy protein powder with 1 t. cooking oil)

2 T. cooking oil

1 tsp. vanilla

1 – 1 1/2 C water

Mix dry ingredients together in a big bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs or tofu, bananas, oil and water until creamy. Mix the wet and dry ingredients thoroughly, let rest. Preheat oven to 350ºF, oil and flour a square baking pan (or 2 loaf pans) and add the batter. Bake 45 min. to 1 hour, loosen the bread from the sides of the pan with a knife, cool in the pan on a rack.

Options: instead of chopped nuts, use sunflower seeds. Add chocolate chips or coconut to the dry mix. Dried and fresh fruits like raisins, blueberries and cranberries add extra nutrition, interesting flavors, looks and texture.

Hints: to make a nice topping and seal the bread, spread a little corn syrup over the top of the bread while it’s still warm. Tips: cut over-ripe bananas into 1-2 in chunks and freeze in a container until ready to thaw and use. Add exotic spices such as ginger, rum flavoring

Good food for everyone!