Banana Bread

Do you have some bananas in the kitchen turning brown?  Thinking about tossing them out?   

Well, let me tell you ... this is when bananas are in their prime.   So, "carefully" pull the peelings off and make ...

Banana Bread

                                                                
Buttermilk Banana Bread with Vanilla-Almond Glaze

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3 average sized bananas, mashed. (extra ripened for more banana flavor)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract  (I used homemade vanilla extract)
1- 1/2 cup self-rising flour


Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs, bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Mix well.  Slowly add flour to banana mixture.  Mix until well combined.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 1.5 qt loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


*pan size I used; 5.25 x 9 x 2.75 *




*Tip:   Pour the glaze recipe over a warm bread, not hot.  Very Important!*


For the Vanilla - Almond Glaze

Combine in a small bowl:

1 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 - to 1/4 tsp. almond extract


Whisk together and pour over your scrumptious banana loaf.
 
Enjoy!


Recipe adapted from:  Melskitchencafe

Left-over bread - Garlic Bread

I still had some hoagie buns from the other night.  So, why not make some garlic bread?  

I mean it goes well with; 

Spaghetti
Lasagna
Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Creole
Coconut Shrimp
BBQ Shrimp
Pineapple Shrimp
Alright, enough of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Ideas



What about;

Steak and Potatoes
Chicken Scampi
Garlic Chicken and Noodles

Or just plain out by itself.  



This is another no recipe - recipe.  It's meant to give you ideas,  and dreams of garlic and cheese tonight!    You can thank me later.  :)


Ingredients:


Bread
Garlic Powder - sprinkle extra
Garlic Salt
Italian Cheese, Shredded.


Broil until cheese is melted and gooey and all that good stuff.

Garlic-Parmesan Croutons

6 cups day old bread, cubed  (I used Sourdough with this recipe - French Bread is great to use also.)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/3 cup extra light olive oil

1/4 cup Parmesan & Romano (powdered cheese)


Preheat oven to 350 F.   


Combine first 7 ingredients; toss well. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Turn every five minutes so croutons will not burn.


Remove from oven; and toss with the Parmesan & Romano.  

When cooled store in air-tight container.

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients:

2 cups of bisquick
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 -1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
2/3 cup of buttermilk

2 tablespoons of butter
1 teaspoons of oregano
1 teaspoon of garlic salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400.

Combine the biscuit mix, cheese, and garlic powder. Stir well.

Add the milk and stir. The mix should be thick, not sticky. You may need to use your hands to get the ingredients well combined.

Bake for 10 minutes of until lightly golden.

While baking, melt the butter in a small bowl and add the oregano and garlic salt.

Using a pastry brush, brush on the butter. - Return to the oven for about 5 minutes.

Cheese Bread

I made all that bread last night, so what's a girl to do? Make cheese bread, of course!


Cheese Bread

3/4 cup black olives, chopped
1/4 cup green olives, chopped
1 green onion
1/4 cup real mayo
1/4 cup parmesan
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup mozzarella or monterey jack cheese



Mix together and spread on 1/2 loaf french bread. Bake on 325º for 20 to 25 minutes.

Italian Bread Using a Bread Machine

Can you smell the aroma ... Oh my goodness! This bread is so good- and it makes your house smell divine.



Italian Bread

• 4 cups Bread Flour (I used White Lily - for Bread Machines)
  
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 1/3 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 envelope active dry yeast (1/4 oz) = 2-1/4 tsp.
  
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal

Directions

1. Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
2. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise, until doubled in volume about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto a baking sheet with one quick but careful motion.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.

My Notes: Step 3 - Add a couple/three shakes of Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt, Garlic Powder. Mix with egg wash and slather it on; use all of the egg wash mixture. It may seem like a lot - but, it's not. You will be proud how your bread will glisten when you remove it from the oven!

*Forget the cornmeal...line your baking sheet with Parchment Paper.


I wasn't too sure how to roll out the bread. So, here is a video I found helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJU__UTGFs


FOCUS on how she rolls the bread...tucking as she goes - Put on your baking sheet with seams down. (on your parchment paper)


The Neighbors will show up on your doorstep when you make this bread! Disclaimer: If you do not like your neighbor's ... don't make this bread!