Covid-19 is still having an affect on what we can find on our stores' shelves.
People haven't been panic buying the way they did two years ago.
But the supply chains for everything have still been having a few glitches.
Just because the flyer says an item is on sale doesn't mean it'll be in the store.
Well, matters could be worse.
Covid-19 is also causing prices to rise, especially in the grocery stores.
One item that is still selling at its pre-Covid price is bananas.
Lucky for us bananas are available year-round.
So make them a regular part of your menu planning.
When bananas start getting brown and mushy, you can peel them, toss them in a freezer container, mash them and freeze for later baking.
But they do tend to get a rather nasty look.
Don’t let their look scare you.
The riper they are the strong the banana flavour will be.
As the old saying goes, ‘When life hands you bananas, make banana bread’.
Hints:
Cutting back on butter? Substitute 1/2 Cup margarine or 3 ounces oil for 1/2 Cup butter.
Creaming the butter and sugar together will make your banana bread lighter and more cake-like with a finer texture.
If you use oil or melted butter the bread will be denser and less crumbly.
There’s no rule on how smooth the mashed bananas should be.
If you prefer a few chunks of banana in your batter, that’s fine.
Substitute whole wheat or any whole-grain flour for up to half of the all-purpose flour.
Brown sugar gives you a denser, moister bread.
You could also use another sugar or sweetener, such as honey or molasses.
Use almond milk, kefir, buttermilk or water for the liquid in any banana bread recipe.
Don’t have the number of eggs called for in the recipe? No problem.
You can use less eggs or substitute egg whites for the eggs.
Baking time is affected by the moisture and sugar in your bananas and sweetener.
Start checking 10 minutes before it's supposed to be done and then every 5 minutes after.
To make muffins, line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill each cup about 3/4 full.
Check for doneness after 20 minutes.
Wrapped leftovers can be stored at room temperature for several days.
You can wrap the bread in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
About Banana Bread # 2…
You can add 2 Cups semisweet chocolate chips or 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the flour mixture or you could add both.
You could add nuts or a different spice, such as nutmeg to your batter.
For a stronger nut flavour toast them in the oven for 10 minutes.
About Round Banana Bread…
The topping of banana slices and butter is optional.
More banana recipes:
Anna Sultana’s Banana Bread
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2014/05/anna-sultanas-banana-bread.html
Anna Sultana’s Spiced Banana Cake
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2015/11/anna-sultanas-spiced-banana-cake-and.html
Anna Sultana’s Banana Oatmeal Crumb Cake
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2015/10/anna-sultanas-banana-oatmeal-crumb-cake.html
Anna Sultana’s Banana Pound Cake With Caramel Glaze
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2015/10/anna-sultanas-banana-pound-cake-with.html
Anna Sultana’s Easy Banana Ice Cream & Frozen Bananas Treats
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2017/07/anna-sultanas-easy-banana-ice-cream.html
Anna Sultana’s Pumpkin or Banana Smoothie
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2015/09/anna-sultanas-pumpkin-smoothie.html
Banana Daiquiri
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2015/06/strawberries-and-gardening-by-margaret.html
Banana Bread # 2
Makes 2 loaves
Grease 2 9x5x3-inch loaf pans
Place in a large bowl
6 ripe bananas, mashed
1 Cup buttermilk
1 Tablespoon baking soda
Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the bananas are soaking, sift together into another bowl
4 1/2 Cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Set aside.
Preheat oven 350º F
Place in a large bowl
1 1/2 Cups butter, softened
2 Cups brown sugar, packed
Beat together until fluffy.
Add, one at a time, beating after each addition
2 large Eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
the banana/buttermilk mixture
Add the sifted dry ingredients.
Stir until combined.
Scrape the mixture into the 2 prepared loaf pans.
Bake 60 to 70 minutes.
Cake tester inserted into centre should come out clean.
Remove pans from oven and place on a rack.
Let cool 15 minutes, then turn loaves out onto a rack.
Let cool another 10 minutes before slicing.
Round Banana Bread
Makes 3 loaves
Melt
1/2 Cup butter
Brush melted butter on the inside of 3 9-inch round cake pans
Sift together
3 Cups Flour
1 Tablespoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
Set aside.
Peel and place in a large bowl
8 very ripe bananas
Mash and set aside.
Preheat oven 425º F
Place in a large mixer bowl
2 Cups butter
3 Cups sugar
Cream together until pale and fluffy.
Add, 2 at a time, while beating at medium speed
8 large eggs
Carefully scrape down the sides of the bowl while beating.
Add the mashed bananas and continue mixing while scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix until the batter is blended.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
While the bread is baking slice
1 to 4 bananas
Remove pans and top with banana slices.
Brush with melted butter.
Continue baking for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on racks.
Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.
Let cool on racks another 10 minutes.
