Another Banana Bread Recipe

There's already one of these on here, but this is a new one I've tried a few times to RAVE reviews. Granted, its basically banana cupcakes when you make muffins because of the sugar content, but hey! You can make banana cupcakes! You could probably reduce the sugar a little if you want to be more healthy, but then also consider reducing the oil to lessen the liquid content.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour one loaf pan, or 12 muffin cups.

1.5 cups plus two tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

sift to combine. set aside.

2 eggs
1 cup sugar

mix on medium high speed for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is light yellow and forms a ribbon when you pull the beaters out.

1/4 cup oil

reduce speed to low and pour oil into mixture in a slow stream.

4 organic (smallish) bananas (about 1.5 cups)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla

add bananas, yogurt and vanilla to mixer and continue beating on low speed until combined.

fold in dry ingredients.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes for muffins and 45 to 60 minutes for a loaf.

Sumptuous Banana Milk Smoothies

What's a mom to do when there is NOTHING that sounds good for breakfast?

Seriously, my oldest would eat only bacon if I let her. Then, SOMEONE discussed with her where bacon comes from, and guess what? Suddenly, no more interest in bacon. I can't really feel bad about this. Not really. The child needs to have something healthy to start the day.

So, after a round of "do you want this?" or "What about this?" and, just when I was about to command: "You're eating the oatmeal and liking it!" We came around to a solution that was both healthy and filling.

Banana Milk Smoothies - or, Mama is tired and the girls need protein.

* 2 cups milk
* 2 bananas
* 1 pkg Vanilla Instant Breakfast

Blend, serve in Princess Straw Cups
Goes wonderfully well with heaping handfuls of dry cereal.
Seconds, please! :)

I Want to Cook! Who's Gonna Eat It? Why Do I Care!

Yes, today I was confronted with information... heartbreak. Pain. Agony. Angst. Friends in need. My own mom dealing with her grief in Arkansas, going through my grandparents' home.

I got out the kitchen aid. I frowned around the kitchen, in search of ingredients, and saw some bananas in need of attention. Done. I started mixing up a batch of Banana Bread.

Ellie wanted to help. I doubled the batch, allowing her to crack eggs with her delicate touch. Seriously. The kid is amazing. Almost five, and though I have her crack them in separate bowls, there's not a shell to be seen.

We used:

6 Bananas
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups Sugar
4 cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
dash of cinnamon
dash of sugar to top

In the mixer, let the bananas mash up, but not too much.
In a separate bowl, whip up the eggs in a frenzy. Add to bananas until combined.
Then, stir together dry ingredients and slowly shake into mixing bowl until mixed.

Pour into bread pans, either that have been lined with parchment, or sprayed with cooking spray. Top with sprinkled sugar and dashes of cinnamon.

Bake at 350 for one hour and just hold the kids off until it's done. Mine want to break down the oven door!

Banana Bread rising in the oven, hungry misses shooed out the door to the pool with their daddy, I finally had some time to think. But that's only half of it. The second thought came that my starving little waifs and their dad would all expect to be fed upon return.

But I still had the urge to cook...a recipe burning a hole in my pocket, and bread to deliver as soon as friends in need returned...

Homemade "ice cream" in 30 minutes flat

How to manage the perpetual request for sugary treats... every mother's constant struggle - right? Well mine at least. In a fit of creative inspiration, I concocted this "ice cream" recipe that I can feel good about serving as an afternoon snack. Its a great recipe for the kids to participate in too.

2 bananas
2 cups plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mash bananas and mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into ice cream maker and wait to freeze (about 20 minutes depending on your ice cream maker). Serve. Smile when they say "I Love Ice Cream" knowing that its good for them too. I guess if you don't want to keep plain yogurt on hand (I do because I love it with trader joes lemon curd and frozen blueberries) you can sub the yogurt, honey and vanilla for vanilla yogurt. Also, I used whole milk yogurt which I'm sure helps the creaminess of it.

Banana Pancakes

This one is so easy, it really doesn't need an official recipe. And the best part is, the kids can help make the batter with only a little supervision. OH I ALMOST FORGOT - I'm a total pancake snob (thanks Dad) and I really enjoy these pancakes.

Serves 4

3 Bananas (the riper the better)
3 Cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix
2.25 Cups water

Mash the bananas (or better yet, give the kids a potato masher and let them do it), add the pancake mix and the water and stir. Best to get the water and mix combined yourself before you let the little ones stir it all together. Once the water isn't so splashy, give each kid a 20 second turn by all counting to 20 together.

Now just cook the pancakes!