INGREDIENTS:
2 to 3 very ripe bananas, peeled (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mashed) 1/3 cup melted butter, unsalted or salted 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if more sweet) 1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 11/2 cups of all-purpose flour pinch of salt DIRECTIONS:
Banana bread Every house should have a good banana bread recipe. If yours doesn’t, here it is. This is one of the most popular recipes on simplyrecipe.com and there’s no wondering why. It’s so easy and uses just one mixing bowl, so clean up is quick. You can also easily adapt it by tossing in a small handful of nuts, dried fruit, chocolate morsels, or other treats.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth, then stir in the melted butter. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in sugar, beaten egg and vanilla extract, then mix in the flour. Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. This recipe also makes great muffins, just reduce the cooking time to 25 to 30 minutes.
Banana benefits
This tropical fruit is more than just an easy lunchbox treat. Bananas are well-known for their high potassium levels which helps prevent high blood pressure. Bananas also contain vitamin C, which has been shown to help prevent cancer and B6, an immune-system booster that can help in the formation of red blood cells.
Banana-sicles Bonus tip
Try adding a variety of nuts on top for sources of omega-6, omega-3, fiber and protein
Everything is more fun when frozen. Peel your ripe bananas and cut them in half (across the middle), then insert a wooden ice cream stick into the flat end, place on wax paper and put in the freezer for three to four hours. Once frozen, quickly dip your frozen bananas in 6 ounces of melted chocolate morsels. Then top with your favorite treat like chopped nuts, candy sprinkles or shredded coconut. Re-freeze until chocolate hardens.
Why were the apple and orange alone? Because the banana split! mommag.com 29
