Thursday, October 4, 2012

BANANA STRAWBERRY NUT BREAD






Fall is here and I've been waiting for a chance to turn my oven on and start baking but with this heatwave we've been having in Southern California, it's been a game of patience.  Today was finally cool enough where I could turn on the oven without needing to turn on the air conditioner.

As I was homeschooling my son, my mind was wandering as to what to bake.  I ran through the ingredients we had on hand and remembered we had raspberries and bananas.  Since I like both, I decided to try a banana raspberry bread.  I found my recipe for banana nut bread and figured I could toss some raspberries in and it wouldn't hurt.

Unfortunately, I didn't have as many raspberries as I thought but did have strawberries so I decided to substitute with those.  I added chopped walnuts because after all, what's banana bread without walnuts.  You could also use pecans instead of walnuts which would taste just as good.

I love how moist this bread is.  Not too sweet but oh so good!

BANANA STRAWBERRY NUT BREAD

2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cups Sugar
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 ripe bananas (mashed really well)
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries (hulled and finely chopped)
1 cup finely chopped walnuts 

Heat oven to 350º.  Grease or spray two bread loaf pans.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Mix well.  In another bowl, combine mashed bananas, milk, egg and vanilla extract.  Add the strawberries and walnuts and mix well.  Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and gently fold together.  (You don't want to mix too much or the bread will come out dense and dry)  Divide the batter into the loaf pans and bake for 1 hour.  Let cool and enjoy!!



 



Monday, October 1, 2012

Apple Fries

Tori's Apple Fries

We don't live too far from Legoland in Carlsbad, CA but it's not someplace we frequent.  When we do go, however, we love to stop at Granny's Apple Fries.  This is a small food court in the park.  I remember the first time we went to Legoland.  We saw people eating these treats and couldn't wait to try them.  They were so good!  Each time we go back, I say I'm going to try to duplicate them but forget.

A couple weeks ago, during Sunday Football, I decided to try to make some.  They were so good and got gobbled up as soon as I put them out.  The dipping sauce is a little different since the original is made with cream cheese and my husband can't eat that.  I instead used, whipping cream which is just as good!

Apple Fries

Granny Smith Apples
Cornstarch
Vegetable Oil
Cinnamon
Granulated Sugar

Dipping Sauce

Whipping Cream (or Cool Whip)
Vanilla
Pumpkin Pie Spice

Peel and Core the apples.  Slice into french fry sticks.  Coat with cornstarch and shake off excess.  Heat oil to 375º and carefully put the fries in oil to fry.  Fry until just golden and drain on paper towels.  Coat fries with cinnamon sugar.

Combine whipping cream, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.  mix and serve with fries. 

Granny's Apple Fries