Yummy Banana Bread

One of the things that I do to try to keep the stress & crazies from our morning routine is to have breakfast items in the freezer ready to defrost and quickly eat. I usually have waffles, pancakes, homemade french toast sticks, etc. in the freezer. Yesterday I saw this recipe for banana bread on one of my favorite blogs, Who Says Eight is Enough, thanks Debi! I thought if I used my Perfect Brownie Pan (I absolutely love this thing) that I could freeze the little squares and they could be defrosted one or two at a time for breakfast.

My Favorite Banana Bread

Ingredients
1/2 c. unsalted butter (I have replaced this MANY times with 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. ripe bananas, mashed (about 5)
2/3 c. nuts, chopped (optional)
(I have also substituted chocolate chips, or coconut & dried pineapple)

Preheat oven to 325.
Grease a 2 qt. loaf pan or two 2lb. loaf pans*
In a large bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs, vanilla & bananas. Blend well.
Beat in remaining ingredients.
Pour into loaf pan.
Bake 1 hour & 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Remove from pan while still warm.
Cool before slicing.

The only things I did differently to this recipe was that I didn't use nuts but I did put about 3/4 c. mini choc. chips in. I also used the Perfect Brownie Pan and a 9x9 square pan instead of two loaf pans. I cooked mine for about 28 min. For freezing I just let the bread cool then put the individual squares into a gallon ziptop bag and threw in the freezer.

You could also do muffins and cook for 15 - 20 min

Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Found this one at http://www.makeandtakes.com/


Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
4 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. light brown sugar, packed
1 t. vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large banana, mashed
2 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugars, mix until smooth.  Add in vanilla extract and egg.  Next, add in banana, beat well.

Slowly add in flour mixture until just combined.  Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Drop cookie dough by heaping tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes (watch this b/c mine took about 10-12 min.) or until golden.  Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies. (Mine made 3 dzn)

Our Review:  These were good! They would make nice breakfast cookies as well with the oats and banana!

Campfire Hash

Got this one from a website just not sure which one now :-)

Campfire Hash

Ingredients:
Minced onion
Minced garlic
2 tablespoons oil
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 pounds)
1 pound smoked turkey sausage, halved and sliced
1 can chopped green chilies (optional, I didn't use)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook potatoes, onion and garlic uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add turkey sausage; cook and stir until potatoes are tender and well browned, about 10 minutes longer. Stir in chilies and corn; heat through.

Our Review: Mike and I really liked this one!