a southern girl's dialogue on life in the rockies

a southern girl's dialogue on life in the rockies.

cooking.baking.teaching.and general merriment.
Showing posts with label banana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label banana. Show all posts

7.19.2012

Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread

A delicious, healthy, fruit filled breakfast option AND it's low-fat? Yes, please.

I bought an insane amount of blueberries on sale (gotta love summer harvests!) and have a few recipes to share to use them up!

Enjoy Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread!


P.S. I made this bread for our camping trip and took this picture when I tried it before I left. I had planned to take a lot more for the blog on the trip but between the intense heat in the car and me not properly wrapping up the bread...it turned super mushy. So keep yours in the fridge...or not the 100 degree Utah heat. Lesson learned.

Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread
Adapted from SkinnyTaste.com
Makes one loaf
Prep Time: 15 min. Total Time: 1.5 hours, including cooling

Ingredients:
-3 ripe medium bananas, mashed
-1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
-1 1/4 c. all purpose flour plus 1 tbsp. for coating blueberries
-3/4 tsp. baking soda
-1/4 tsp. salt
-2 tbsp. butter, softened
-1/2 c. light brown sugar
-2 large egg whites
-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
-1/2 cup chopped walnuts
-1/2-3/4 c. blueberries rinsed and dried

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x5 loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 c. all purpose flour, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with a mixer. Add egg whites, bananas, applesauce and vanilla and beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of bowl.

Add flour mixture and blend at low speed until combined.

In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 tbsp. of flour over blueberries and walnuts to lightly coat. Add to flour-banana mixture and fold in with spatula. Do not over mix.

Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!
Laura


6.28.2012

PB & J Smoothie

I'm back with another smoothie concoction!

Since it is summertime, smoothies are my go-to lunch again and I couldn't be happier.

I couldn't decide on a PB & J sandwich or a smoothie for lunch the other day so I thought why not combine the two? Minus the bread, of course.


The end result is a creamy, liquid version of your favorite childhood lunch!


PB & J Smoothie
Makes one meal serving or two snack size servings

Blend together until smooth: 
-1 frozen banana
-5 strawberries (whole, including the stem)
-1 very large spoonful of peanut butter
-1/4-1/2. c. of milk, depending on your preference


Enjoy!
Laura


5.30.2012

Banana Chai Take 2


I was inspired by yesterday's Banana Chai smoothie post and surfed the web (what an old, yet awesome, phrase) for some more scrumptious Banana Chai combos!

banana chai cupcakes

Look at that glaze...mmm..
chai banana bread

Gorgeous! 
BANANA CHAI MARTINI

Banana Chai Granita

Banana Chai Muffins

This might be new favorite combination!

Now, where to begin...
Laura


5.29.2012

Going Banana Chai

You've heard me rant and rave about smoothies here before, and that isn't changing anytime soon.

My newest smoothie addiction is inspired by this Banana Chai smoothie from Pinterest!

Spicy, creamy and indulgent- it has a trifecta going on here.

IMG_4410 (500x333)

Banana Chai Smoothie
Serves 1
Adapted from Choosing Raw

Ingredients: 
2 tsp. chai tea mix (I love this variety from Trader Joe's...and Amazon, apparently)
1 1/2 (or 2 small) frozen bananas (remember my frozen banana trick, here?)
2/3 c. milk 
1 tbsp. peanut butter

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Yum!! 

(You can also make your own chai mix but I like the subtle yet spiciness from the premixed teas better. There's my two cents.)

Enjoy!
Laura