Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Eileen's Best Banana Bread


 When life gives you speckled bananas, there's nothing to do but make some bread. Specifically, some heart healthy banana bread.  I haven't been at home very much these last several days and these babies definitely got a bit past the "flecked with brown and have a golden hue" stage. I was needing some comfort food last night, and banana bread fit the bill.

 Why heart healthy? I'm blogging from the hospital ICU waiting room these days. I took hubby to the Emergency Room last week (right after the Hachis Parmentier, I might add) where it was determined that he was having a heart attack and would need major intervention. Monday morning he was in surgery having a very talented man- to whom I will forever be thankful- bypass a few five badly blocked coronary arteries. He's all fixed up now, but groggy, sore and anxious to feel better.


 No butter or eggs in this banana bread, but still it was tender, moist and delicious. It was just sweet enough and full of chopped walnuts giving each bite a wonderful depth of flavor. I used this Cooking Light recipe containing ground flaxseed which adds heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. I think we'll be eating a lot more of those in the future. :)


Eileen's Best Banana Bread
adapted from Cooking Light (Eileen Solberg) October 2009
Ingredients
3/4 cup all purpose flour (fluff, scoop and level)
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 large)
1/2 cup plain fat free Greek (or regular) yogurt
3/4 cup sugar (I used a little bit less and it was plenty sweet)
1/4 cup light flavored olive oil (or canola)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
  • Preheat oven to 325° F 
  • Coat a 5"x9" loaf pan with cooking spray.
  • Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups. Level with a knife. In a large mixing bowl, combine flours with flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In another bowl, combine mashed banana, yogurt, sugar, oil, walnuts and vanilla.
  • Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Pour into prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Check after one hour.)
  • Cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and finish cooling on rack.

32 comments:

  1. I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well and your husband is on his way to recovery! :o) I love cooking light recipes and have used many of them throughout the years. If you have to eat more healthful, this is definitely the way to go and this is one great looking banana bread!

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  2. Such a scary experience, I'm so glad they fixed him up and hopefully he is feeling better. I agree that speckled bananas are the path to delicious homemade bread, at least for me:) I'm happy to try a healthier version as well, I think we could all use less fat in our diets.

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  3. So sorry to hear that. Hope he recovers quickly.

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  4. I am glad to read that your husband is better. That sounded very scary. I hope he will fully recover. My best wishes.
    We also love banana bread.I like the yogurt and walnuts in yours.

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  5. I'm so happy that your husband is doing better. What a terrifying experience. My prayers and thoughts are with you both. During difficult times, baking is so therapeutic. Your banana bread looks delicious, but more importantly, I'm glad that it gave you some comfort!

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  6. Oh goodness, thank God he is alright. I'm thinking of him! I'm sure that he (and his heart) will appreciate this new improved bread. It sure looks yum.

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  7. Very delicious looking banana bread. The texture is so perfect and moist!

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  8. I hope your husband gets better soon. This looks like something that may help along the way.... Making this NOW!

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  9. The bread sounds great, I hope your hubby gets well soon!

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  10. Good news about your husband. Isn't banana bread just about the best?

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  11. What great banana bread recipe; I looks so healthy.
    Best wishes for your husband. I'm sure they must have told you it will be a long difficult time for a little while, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
    I went through emergency bypass surgery a few years ago and it is not an easy road. But it will all be good at the end.
    Sending you hugs,
    Rita

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  12. Hi,

    My uncle underwent bypass before 2 months and is back to his routine life now..The banana bread looks great.....:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  13. Glad to know that your husband is on the road to recovery. Will include him in my prayers for a super speedy recovery. Please do take care of yourself too, I know how tired it is to take care of another person who is unwell. A great way to relax would definitely be having a slice of your yummy banana bread with a cup of hot tea, with your favourite song on!

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  14. I'm so glad to hear your hubby is ok! I'm wishing him a fast, full recovery. Looks like this is the perfect healthy treat to get him well on his way!

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  15. Oh, I love banana bread and this looks like a perfect one! I have a recipe of my own, but I'm looking to change it up, and I think this will be just the thing. Wishing the absolute best for you, your family and your husband as he recovers.

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  16. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I'm glad he is on the mend.

    The bananna bread looks great. I'm sure it tasted just as good.

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  17. So happy to hear that hubby is on the mend!! We'll be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers!! The bread sound good and the pictures are very yummy looking:)

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  18. So glad to hear that the surgery went well and hubby is doing well. How scary. I would probably have to change my cooking if that happened as we aren't too health conscious around here. Hope he recovers quickly.

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  19. I am so happy to hear your hubby is doing well. That must have been frightening. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

    Wonderful banana bread. I have been eating so many no-no's lately it will be nice to try something that is good for me.

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  20. Oh sweetie I'm so sorry to hear this but so glad that he's okay!!

    Heart healthy eating is definitely in order and this banana bread for sure seems like the way to go!

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  21. Great healthy recipe for banana bread. After all the Halloween candy I've been snagging from the bowl for the trick-or-treaters, this would be a good snack.
    Glad to hear your hubby is doing well and hoping for a quick recovery...

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  22. it's good to know your husband to doing ok now... thank you for sharing this lovely banana bread recipe. have a nice weekend.

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  23. Oh my goodness - I hope your husband is recovering well and you are home again soon!

    I can never have too many banana bread recipes!

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  24. I am very glad everything went well.
    Wishing him speedy recovery.
    Lovely banana bread recipe.
    All my love ♥

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  25. I hope your husband has a speedy recovery. It's not easy finding heart healthy recipes that taste great; however it looks like you've found a winner.

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  26. Hope ur hubby is better now, missed this post!!
    But u sure have found a fantastic recipe here!

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  27. oooh! i just adore banana bread! this one looks incredible moist! wishing your husband a speedy recovery!

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  28. That photo of your banana bread makes me eager to make some right away! If you're looking for other yummy recipes, here's a link to a great collection I found: http://www.recipelion.com/Quick-Bread-Recipes/10-Moist-Banana-Bread-Recipes-And-Baking-Tips

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  29. So glad your husband seems to be on the mend. That all sounds very scary. No wonder you need some comfort food. It's been a long time since I made banana bread this inspires me.

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  30. I'm so sorry I missed this post! I hope your husband is doing well and recuperating quickly.

    By the way, you have won my giveaway! Email me at savoringtimeinthekitchen@gmail.com for the details.

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  31. i think i might be making this next week!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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