Banana bread. (courtesy of the fruit flies.)

 

We love bananas. Well, Ava and I love bananas. We seem to always have them in the house. This time of the year, however, it is so hard to keep them. It’s so warm, and they literally sit on the counter for a day until they are swamped with fruit flies. I HATE fruit flies. So, as they start to turn brown, and I get sick of the fruit flies, I toss the bananas into the freezer where they sit, until I’m good and ready for them.

That day came. Unfortunately, after I made my go to recipe for banana bread, I realized that it has way more calories than I care to eat lately. So, off to grandpas it went. He has enjoyed it thoroughly.

                

Banana Bread  ( recipe from BHG cook book 12th edition)

Prep: 25 Min.      Bake: 55 Min.       Oven: 350           Makes: 1 loaf

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

2 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cup mashed bananas (about 5)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cooking oil

Grease loaf pan. Combine dry ingredients. Make well in center, set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, sugar, banana and oil. Add to dry mixture. Mix well, batter will be lumpy.Bake @ 350 for 55-60 min. Last 15 min, tent with foil to prevent over browning.

               

A new Norm-al.

 

I’ve been away for a while. I haven’t been baking all that much. A new baby will do that to you! So now, I find myself a mother of two. It’s crazy hard, but totally awesome at the same time. All my spare time that used to be filled with recipes, baking and naps, are now consumed with bottles, spit up, and cries. It’s exhausting.

Ava is a fantastic big sister and I can already see the tremendous love that Nat has for her.

Naps is the best dad on the planet (and a pretty swell husband too)

I have plans to bake again. I have plans to lose weight (I’m down 8 lbs already!)

Hopefully I won’t be gone this long again……..

Norman

Wordless Wednesday

 

Almond-Coconut Macaroons.

 

 

I love coconut. These macaroons are easy to make, and don’t require a ton of ingredients. They are sweet, gooey and delicious!

Almond-Coconut Macaroons

recipe from Martha Stewart Living (April 2009)

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup whole almonds chopped (I use sliced almonds)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together sugar and egg white in a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Scoop into a mound and place 2 inches apart. Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. * Important!! Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to wire cooling rack. Let cool completely! There a little gooey at first, but if you let them cool completely, they’ll set up just fine!

I hope that you enjoy these as much as I do!! Let me know what you think!

Lauren

Wordless Wednesday

 

Broccoli Bacon Salad.

 

So good. Quick and easy too!!

With company coming for dinner tonight, I needed a side dish and I needed it quick! Fresh Broccoli, crispy bacon….. Yum. (I thought about adding some blue cheese to the mix…..???!!!!)

Broccoli Bacon Salad

3 or 4 heads Broccoli (florets)

1 pound of bacon

1 medium red onion

1 cup Mayonnaise

1/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp vinegar

Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble. Cut florets into bite side pieces. Dice red onion. Wisk mayo, sugar and vinegar until combined.Add to broccoli, bacon and onion, toss until coated. Enjoy!

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter M&M Bars

 

Recipe from ‘Not Rachel Ray’ find it Here.

So Easy, and so good! Chewy, peanut buttery, dense awesomeness.

 

3/4 cup peanut butter (I used creamy)
2 large eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick, for example)
1 bag of M&Ms

1. Preheat oven to 325*F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine peanut butter and eggs until well mixed and smooth.

3. Add in brown sugar and stir until combined.

4. Stir in baking mix until moistened
5. Fold in M&Ms.

  

6. Spread mixture in greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!