Grandma's Banana Bread (Turned Mine)

Nothing is quite so satisfying as a well-stocked kitchen complete with all the necessary tools of a baker or a cook. However, my kitchen is not that; though we do have tons of gadgets (both cool and useless), I'm always having to learn new substitutions to make up for what we lack in the cupboard. That's not a complaint--I'd do it anyways. I'm a health-nut, so I'm always thinking of ways I can keep something yummy but make it less heart-stopping. My favorite recipe right now: Grandma's Banana Bread (Turned Mine).

Let me tell you, my grandmother's banana bread recipe is unbeatable in texture, flavor, and moistness. If you're not opposed to all the sugar and butter, I'd definitely recommend trying this one out. It melts in your mouth. Top a slice fresh from the oven with a good slab of (more) butter, and you'll melt.


Grandma's Banana Bread
3/4 c. margarine or butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
3 c. flour
4 mashed bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
nuts

In Grandma J's own words:
"Cream sugar and margarine. Add eggs and rest of ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 min or until baked."


--

Bananas are one of my favorite (of many) fruits. I prefer to eat them plain when they still have a touch of green on the peel. Once they are at that perfect yellow color, they are best in oatmeal, in a fruit salad, or on a peanut-butter-banana sandwich. When they are slightly discolored, I peel them, freeze them, and eat them as if they were perfect. At the point when the get brown or too mottled with brown spots, that's when I make bread.

The first time I decided to edit my grandma's recipe, it was during lent when I was not eating wheat, sugar, or dairy. One of my friends is allergic to... basically everything. The list goes on and on, but these three foods were the big groups, so for forty days I had none of it.* So in honor of my friend, I name it after her.**


Hilary Banana Bread
3/4 c. apple sauce
1/2 c. sweetener (honey, agave, Stevia)
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. baking powder***
3 c. oat flour (wheat flour, rice flour, or a mixture of whatever)
4 mashed bananas (or five... or six... I prefer more!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix apple sauce and sweetener, add beaten eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add baking soda, baking powder, and flour. Peel bananas, mash them between your fingers, and add to batter.****

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. Makes four small loaves or two big ones.

Just as a note: I usually either make a half-batch or freeze whatever loaves I'm not working on (or sharing).



*I am not a religious person. The reason I participate in lent is solely because I think it is a good time to test self-control, will power, etc. etc. I like goals, and it's fun to try something different!
**Poor girl can't eat CHEESE! Or milk, or dried mango from Costco (coated in tons of sugar), or old-fashioned pancakes...
***I often use a lot of baking powder and add it to various recipes because I like things fluffy.
****This is my favorite part; The feel of the squished bananas in your hands is absolutely delightful.