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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Banana bread. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Banana bread. Sort by date Show all posts

Vegan banana bread


Eating vegan or vegetarian at least one night a week has given me new ways to cook and enjoy food.  Meatless Mondays have always been a top option in our house, but incorporating baking goods throughout the week in that, has been a fun adventure!

My family and I love banana bread and in order to make it vegan, I did a little experimenting and came up with the perfect recipe to create a vegan banana bread.  ......and it tastes great!

• Ingredients

2/3 c sugar ( white or brown sugar)
1/3 c oil (I used extra virgin olive oil, but vegetable, or canola would work too)
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 c mashed overripe bananas (about three medium bananas)
2 tbs. pure vanilla extract
(Cinnamon)


• Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Smash ripe bananas in a small bowl, or measuring cup and set aside.
3.  Add oil to bananas and mix lightly.
4.  Mix dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl attached to an electric mixer.



5.  Slow mix the dry ingredients together on low speed.
6.  Add banana/oil mixture and speed up mixer to medium speed.



7.  Mix for about one minute and add vanilla extract.



8.  High mix the mixture for about 45 seconds.



9.  Pour mixture into a prepared loaf pan.



10.  Bake for 45-55 minutes, checking at 30 minutes.



11.  Sprinkle with cinnamon halfway through baking.

Enjoy!



Five Simple Things (June 26)

Hello.

This week was a bit better than the last. We had a small low-key Father's Day and drove over the pass to Bend to check out their "surfing" area. We didn't stop anywhere other than to get out and take a few pictures. We packed a small lunch and ate in the care while we were there. It was very calm and that's just how we liked it. We had a few milestones, I was able to get released to be able to take showers now and all of my bandages are off. I am really happy about this, so much so, when my surgeon told me, I started crying. My appointment checkups haven't been at the times that they are supposed to be because of the Coronavirus pandemic. But, my surgeon's office has done the best they can and I am extremely grateful for them and everything they have done for me to keep me safe and healthy during this time. On another note, the riots here in Portland, Salem, and even in our own city, are just getting to be too much. Parades of cars go driving through the city with flags and honking, and since I'm not sleeping that well anyway, it's starting to take a toll on me a bit. Jeff brought me some ear plugs, but it doesn't seem to help. People yelling and just the additional stress they are causing isn't okay. People are pissed, it's understandable, bit those not related to the issues are suffering, too. I just hope a compromise comes sooner than later. Over 200 people have died in the state of Oregon from the virus. Eviction notices were put on hold for tenants and landlords are able to apply for a relief package to help everyone. With people being laid off and furloughed, the world is weird right now. We've been getting some weird weather lately, too. Windy during the day and then getting darker than normal at night. I don't go outside much after 12:00 in the afternoon, because it's just too weird. I have been more tired than normal, but we must truck on. Jeff has been cooking dinner each evening to help keep us eating on a normal schedule. I took two showers this week, so things are looking up. Looking forward to my next checkup to see how things are progressing. And, one more thing, wear a mask. Don't be an asshole. 

1. This Bread.

Skylar and I have been doing some more quarantine baking this week. We are using some of our emergency stash of food to be able to make things. This week we made the banana bread recipe from the New York Times. I've found their recipes easy to follow and kind of "simple" for someone like me that hates cooking and tends to mess everything up. This banana bread was delicious!

2. This Surfing.


This is Whitewater Park in Bend where the Deschutes River flows through. The way the land and the bridge is laid out along the river it's created a surfing wave, of sorts, and is perfect for surfers to practice their surfing skills. It's a soft landing, too, if you happen to crash. It's one of the areas we are looking forward to trying in the future.

3. This Crabapple.


This was the first spring that it has bloomed. This is a Sugar Tyme Crabapple. It's blooms are pinkish white and flower in the spring to early summer. We got this at the Oregon State Fair when Skylar was about four years old and this is the first year we've seen blooms on it. We are going to try and replant it into a more stable container, and I hope we don't mess up the blooming. Fingers crossed we don't hurt it, because it is beautiful. 

4. This Giant Keg.

Not sure what this is going to be used for, display, beer, wine, who knows. But, we just loved it and turned around to just to snap a picture of it. I'd love to have a giant keg like this, but I'd fill it with lemonade, instead. 

5. This Walk.


Been doing a bit more getting out and about. Instead of running, I've been walking a bit. At the start of the week, as you can see, was less than half a mile, but on Thursday I decided to push myself a bit more and try to go longer. I'm hurting a bit today, but it was worth it. Hopefully, it will help me sleep better, too.

Positive affirmations this week: "What are some positives that you've added to your life?"
Well, as I've started to navigate myself more and shut out looking for validation from others I've found a few things that I love and can actually be thankful for. Of course, it took me 40 years to get to this point, I am the happiest I've been in a long time, mentally that is. Here are few things I've found to be a positive for me.
*1. Cooked new meals, or baked new things.
*2. Meditating on the deck in the sunshine.
*3. Practicing self love and better thoughts to myself.
*4. Dancing and ballet.
*5. Deep talks and connections with Skylar and Jeff. (they are my tribe)
*6. Taking time to look at the sky more. During the day when it's blue, or cloudy, and at night.
*7. Finding positives around me, even in people. Love actually is all around us, if we look.
*8. Telling people I love them, more. I try to tell Skylar that I love him every day, and I hug him. Same with Jeff. Showing appreciation for them makes them feel good and in turn makes me feel good.
*9. Holding onto the good things on the bad days, as much as I can.
*10. Knowing some good will come out of every struggle.

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (February 5)

Hello.

This week we did a bit of "ad" spot with the Velveeta Fresh Packs I received a few weeks ago from Influenster. We created some dishes with the packs and enjoyed them during our game night. We also had some storms roll through. As much as I get tired of the rain this season it was welcomed because of how rough last summer was for us all here. The storm clouds were actually a pretty sight and after the rain moved through a huge complete rainbow came. We did a bit of baking and also took two loads of clothing donations to the clothing bins. We are slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with our minimizing and downsizing. I am pleased with where we are right now, but honestly, keeping things in check is an ongoing process. Not bringing in things and keeping a constant eye on when things start getting out of hand. Minimalism is something that isn't just a one time thing, it's literally you being on your toes and being fully aware of the items that don't earn their place in your house anymore, and preventing new items from coming through the door. I actually feel happier and sleep better without all the things taking up space. Here are five things this week.

1. This Sky.


Sometimes the rain is a good thing and you can't get rainbows without rain.

Jeff sent me this view of the rainbow today from his work parking lot. It seems all of us got a dose of good today.

2. This Eagle.

Eagles tend to frequent the Valley recently. I don't remember them being as prominent when I first moved here, but the last few years they have populated the Valley floor. It's interesting to see them around, and one thing I didn't realize is how big their wingspan is when they take flight. This eagle was seen near Halsey, Oregon. I got as close as I could, but he definitely was watching me the whole time. I got the pictures I wanted and left without disturbing him. My anxiety was pretty high the entire time because it was scary to some degree being this close to an amazing bird of prey.

3. This Bread.

Made some banana bread this week and we enjoyed it literally every day for breakfast all week. I use a basic banana recipe and sometimes I use pureed pumpkin to make the same recipe. Both are delicious!

4. These Boys.

They were loading the back of the car while I was watching on the reverse camera and caught them at just the right moment.

5. This Ad.



I was sent a full sized Velveeta Fresh Packs to try out in my own home and create something delicious with. I'm not the greatest cook, but I whipped up a cheese dip worthy of praise. Jeff and Skylar enjoyed it during our game night this week and they loved my version of it. I used two of the Velveeta Fresh Packs, one can of green chilies, and two tomatoes diced. I added a bit of cayenne pepper to give it a little kick. And, although we don't purchase Velveeta products frequently, this dip was amazing! I've linked all of the products I used in this recipe, so you can create it yourself! I received this as part of an influencer campaign with Influenster and Velveeta. 

Positive affirmations this week:


Have a nice weekend.

Nuts and Seeds Banana Bread

  • 1/2 cup melted salted butter
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, or more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground or grated nutmeg
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (not imitation)
  • 4 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup, or more of seeds and nuts (peanuts, pumpkin, flax, sunflower, almond, cashew, chia)

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, mix together the ripe bananas and melted butter. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Then add in sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour last.

Pour the batter into greased loaf pan and sprinkle 1/2 of the nuts on top. Halfway through baking, sprinkle the remaining nuts on top and finish baking.

Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing.

This recipe is customizable in so many ways. Instead of bananas, try canned pumpkin, zucchini, even watermelon. Instead of nuts, add raisins, cranberries, currants, blueberries, or even strawberries. The possibilities are endless. We have tried all different ways to incorporate foods into this recipe. It should be called, "Everything in the Cabinet Bread."☺ I hope you enjoy it, because it's a huge favorite in our house! If you give it a try, let me know by tagging me on social media. I would love to know what you think of it, or if you added something fun.