Banana Bread
Happy hump day
How’s the week going?
My week has been rather busy. Lots of things going on.
The guy who came in to do our second floor refinishing is here this week. Patrick and I are having him match the floor that we bought to replace the first floor wood.
So far it looks really nice. Pictures to come. I think he should be done taking all our money by this weekend.
We are going with dark color and I couldn’t be happier about it. Something about dark floors with really nice colonial white molding is so elegant and pleasing to my eye.
In the end, I know it is going to look awesome. For right now I am just hoping we have no hiccups, which thus far we have avoided ::crosses fingers::
I also have some great news!
Patrick and I are going to Portugal in April!!!
I am so excited! I have never been to Portugal so I am really looking forward to it but I am also nervous.
Being in a foreign country has always made me a bit nervous because there is the language barrier and sometimes you are on your own in a strange place.
Once I get there I am sure I will be fine, but there is lots of things to look into and to see what I can do.
Patrick will be working during the days, his job has him traveling all over. But at least I get to go with him this time and take advantage of the spot he is at!
We were able to get this entire trip for $50. All we had to do was pay for my plane ticket because Patrick is covered through work, as well as a hotel, and since he has traveled so much he cashed in miles for me so the entire getting to and from Portugal will cost us $50…
Soak that in…
$50 to go to Portugal!! I can’t even get a tank of gas for that cheap right now! haha
Needless to say we are excited about it and if any of you have been to Portugal (Patrick and I will be in Lisbon & Setรบbal), please feel free to leave suggestions as to what to do, where to eat, what sights to see.
I am totally up for suggestion and if you haven’t been before…I am sure I will have TONS of pictures to show you when I get back. ๐
Today I am sharing with you a classic. Something simple but it always seems like I am trying different banana breads. There are so many!
With nuts, with fruit, with glaze, with zucchini…
Not his kind of banana:
This recipe is another Cooking Light fave from their cookbook “Way to Bake”. Simple and healthy. I changed the recipe to compliment what ingredients I had.
Original Recipe can be found here.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
- 1/3 cup fat-free sour cream
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- Cooking spray
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350ยฐ
Combine first banana, sour cream, butter and eggs in a medium sized bowl. Mix together well with a whisk. Add granulated sugar and then brown sugar and mix until well combined.
Combine flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and allspice together. Whisk together until combined.
Note to those not familiar with allspice: Be very careful with it. It is a strong spice and if you add too much it might overpower the recipe. Stick with the 1/8 teaspoon unless you are familiar with and really enjoy that taste.
Add the wet and dry mixtures together and beat just until blended. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. This will depend upon your oven and how it works. Mine took a little longer than 55 minutes to get the center cooked.
Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool bread completely.
Combine the sugar, cinnamon and water for the coating on top. Drizzle over top of the loaf and enjoy!
This recipe with my alterations should be around 160 calories per slice. Not too shabby at all
This loaf should yield 16 slices.
OH and my positive things jar is filling up so far during this Lent season:
And yes, I am doing it in a mason jar ๐
Have a great Wednesday!
31 Comments
Angie@Angie's Recipes
wow what a gorgeous looking banana bread! 160 calories per slice… not bad! I can at leas eat 2 slices!
Try not to have too much fun in Portugal ๐
RavieNomNoms
Haha, that is what I said! 2 slices please! ๐
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
I’m so jealous of your life right now lol! And not just because you get to have this banana bread ๐
RavieNomNoms
๐ You’re a sweetie!
Kim - Liv Life
Oh my goodness!! Your trip sounds fantastic, and you can color me positively green with envy. You will do fine with the language, it all seems to work out somehow. Lots of gestures, etc. I know a little Spanish and find myself talking Spanish in Italy, doesn’t work very well, but between the three languages we always seem to get the point across. And frequently you will find people who speak some English.
And Ok… $50??? Amazing!! That leaves you tons of spending $$$!! Take that camera and enjoy. Buy extra memory cards and fill them up.
Oh, and the banana bread? That’s looking pretty darn good too!!!
Happy Wednesday Raven!
RavieNomNoms
I know right?! I am so lucky that Patrick and I were able to get that deal. ๐
You bet I will have my camera!
Have a good week Kim!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
This banana bread looks so delicious, great light and easy recipe! How exciting about your Portugal trip, too!
RavieNomNoms
Thank you Georgia! ๐
Patrick
Banana Bread, Slammin! Trip to Portugal with Raven, booked, Slammin! Sounds like a winning post to me ๐
RavieNomNoms
๐
Becky
You and Patrick are one lucky couple, what with a $50 trip to Portugal and awesome banana bread to eat;)
RavieNomNoms
Hehe, true story Becky!
Ramona
That gorgeous banana bread and a trip to Portugal for $50!! You are one lucky girl!! Enjoy my friend. Love your Positive Lent jar. ๐
RavieNomNoms
Thanks Ramona! I really like it too, helps me keep perspective.
Liz
Oh, I love your mason jar idea…need to do this, too!!!
Your bread looks fantastic…especially with that dripping glaze. And I’m SO envious of your Portugal trip….hoping I’ll get there someday ๐
RavieNomNoms
Do it!! It feels good to do so.
The dripping glaze is the best part ๐
Anita at Hungry Couple
Mmm…yummy looking banana bread. And lots of exciting things going on in your life! ๐
RavieNomNoms
Exciting for sure! Have a great one Anita!
Dara
Oooh my favorite! Love the icing.
RavieNomNoms
Me too!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
What a yummy looking bread Ravie! And Portugal? How freaking exciting. Don’t be nervous, so many people speak English around the world that you shouldn’t have a problem when you travel. Believe me as someone who’s lived and traveled to many countries, your concern will be deciding what to eat and see. Have a great time!!
RavieNomNoms
Thanks for the words of encouragement Nancy! That is so nice of you! I am very excited and I hope you are right about the communication barriers ๐
Priscilla @ShesCookin
You can’t beat that deal, or that extra special glazed banana bread! How exciting that you’re able to go to Portugal! I travel with my husband sometimes (he travels a lot) and have gotten to like exploring on my own while he is working ๐ Some places (like China) where language is a real barrier – I hire a guide for an afternoon to translate and accompany me to local markets, etc.
RavieNomNoms
I know! I am lucky, very lucky. I need to remember that! I really want to go to China someday!
Kristina
Ooo I saw CL’s banana bread recipe last week and I was going to try! I had a bunch of brown bananas to use up, ended up going with a Bon Apetit one I didn’t like too much! Definitely doing this for the next round! And SO jealous of your trip! You are going to have an amazing time!
RavieNomNoms
OOO do try it and let me know what you think! I really liked it, but I changed the recipe just slightly
Renee @ Tortillas and Honey
You are one lucky gal! I can’t wait to see and hear about your upcoming trip! Banana bread is one of my favorites and this looks like a great treat! That glaze looks to die for!
RavieNomNoms
Thanks Renee! I am pretty lucky! Banana bread is one of my favs too!
Kim@Treats & Trinkets
Congratulations on your trip! I’m salivating over your pretty banana bread– I love almost anything banana!
Monet
You will have an AMAZING time in Portugal. We went to Lisbon for our honeymoon, and it was just magical. And this banana bread looks so good, my friend. I need to make a batch asap!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
That’s so exciting!!! I love Spain, and would love to see Portugal one day.
I’m also craving banana bread lately… this may be my weekend project. ๐