Banana Bread is a staple in most homes and this recipe is one of the best

Banana Bread

Banana Bread is a staple in most homes and is a wonderful comfort food recipe. Our family makes this Banana Bread Recipe at least once a month in either bread or muffin form. Never throw away old bananas, just freeze them and save them for this wonderful bread recipe. I make a great one these days but my first attempt is something that I am teased about still to this day.

There are days when cooking is just not my thing and the first time I made banana bread was one of them. Even now…… twenty five years later, I still feel the sting of humiliation.  I was newly married and wanted to make it for my husband.  My sister had given me one of those homemade cookbooks, that you buy at church fairs and school fundraisers, and it had a recipe I thought I would try.  As I was reading it, even I thought maybe 5 tbsp. of baking powder was a little much, but hey, what did I know?  I am alone in my apartment experimenting and at the exact moment I add the baking powder, it begins to rise like Mt. Vesuvius into some strange, freaking, elementary school science project! As it overflows the bowl, onto the counter and then the floor, the front door opens and who walks in… my husband and is brother!  I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because they saw their prey and pounced. These are the two most hilarious, sarcastic men I know and they had a field day.  This is one of the many cooking disaster stories that they tell and even I have to say, if it was anyone else but me, it would be hysterical.

After all these years, and lots of practice, I make a great banana bread and they both will agree.

Don’t be afraid to take whisks – Unknown

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    The bananas need to be ripe….not pretty, just over ripe.  I actually freeze the bananas, so I always have some available.  The skin will turn black, but they are perfect inside. Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you don’t have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together). Add in all the other ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.  Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

    Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.  Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

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    This can also be made gluten free, I have used the King Arthur Gluten Free Flour in the past and it worked wonderful. You can add chocolate chips or nuts too, it would be a great addition. If you would like to see more, check out the Recipes page on my blog Sunday Chefs.

    Allergens: Eggs, Gluten 

    Banana Bread

    Sometimes the simple recipes are the best. This Banana Bread Recipe is easy enough for everyone and is sure to impress.
    Prep Time1 hour 30 minutes
    Active Time15 minutes
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 2
    Cost: $5

    Materials

    • 2 cups all purpose flour Can substitute whole wheat flour
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 1/2 cup canola oil
    • 3 bananas very ripe (brown skins)

    Instructions

    • The bananas need to be ripe… not pretty, just over ripe. They can even be previously frozen.
    • Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you do not have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together)
    • Add in all the other ingredients. (Mix until just combined and no dry lumps)
    • Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.
    • Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

    Simple Mango Salsa

    Simple Mango Salsa is the perfection addition to your summer menu. The versatility is endless. Add something here or subtract something there. It is all wonderful. Spring is here …. despite the 40 degree weather. And it is time to break out all the spring and summer recipes. This Simple Mango Salsa is the first one that I thought of. It is so wonderful and versatile. I first made this salsa years ago and it has been on regular rotation ever since. It is simple to make and elevates anything you put it on …. grilled chicken or fish, tacos, salad, chips or in any bowl now a days. This is especially good on my Crazy Good Fish Tacos.

    We have some food allergies here, so sometimes I leave out the beans and add the red peppers. Some like it spicy, so I add more jalapeno. You really cannot go wrong here. Chop all the ingredients and combine in a bowl. Good luck cutting the mango. I think mangos are my least favorite thing to deal with. I make a huge mess trying to cut them, but it is worth it. Well worth it.

    My advice is to let the salsa sit in the fridge for a few hours, but if you don’t the time, feel free to eat immediately.

    Life without Mexican food is like no life at all.

    -Unknown

    Simple Mango Salsa

    This mango salsa is great as an appetizer, condiment, side dish. Great on fish or chicken. Perfect to bring to a party as chips and dip also. So easy and fun to eat.
    Course: Appetizer, condiment, dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Fresh Mango Peel, sliced and diced
    • 1 cup Black Beans Rinsed
    • 1/2 Red onion Diced
    • 1 Red Pepper Diced
    • 1/3 cup orange juice
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tbsp Fresh cilantro Chopped fine
    • Salt To taste
    • 1 Jalapeno De-seeded and diced fine. This is optional and you can add as little or as much as you want to.

    Method
     

    1. Peel and dice the mango into small pieces.
    2. Chopped the red onion fine and add to mangoes.
    3. Rinse the black beans and add.
    4. Chopped the Cilantro fine.
    5. Combine all the ingredients along with cumin and orange juice.
    6. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

    Notes

    This mango salsa is the perfect addition to any meal. It goes great as an appetizer or snack combined with tortilla chips as a chip and dip recipe. You can also serve on top of grilled chicken or fish or a side dish. 
    This fruity salsa is healthy and kid friendly. Mango salsa is also allergy friendly. 
    Allergens: Contains black beans which are a legume. DAIRY FREE, TREE NUT FREE, PEANUT FREE, EGG FREE, GLUTEN FREE, SOY FREE

    If you are looking for some other great recipes, check out the recipes page of my Sunday Chefs blog.