A Banana-Nut Bread

TV chef Nigella Lawson said in an interview once that when it comes to losing weight, her greed wins over her vanity every time. I could so relate to that. As while I find myself day dreaming of a slender figure tucked in a pair of black jeans and short heals topped with a little waist length jacket, my day time yearning for beauty gets interrupted with thoughts of a freshly baked muffin, a pecan pie and vanilla ice cream. The notion of food triumphs over my sense of vanity every time. And while Ms. Lawson has lost all her unwanted weight, I still live in hope and action! It’s all a balancing act I guess. And I still need to Fathom that act and will do in good time. Until then, you will see healthy bakes like this satisfying banana loaf cake that I’ve adapted from William Sonoma’s “Bread”.
I cut the fat and sugar content considerably from the original recipe. Also I did not have butter milk in my fridge, as one doesn’t, so I mixed half and half milk and yogurt. What ever you do, do not over mix this batter. Once the dry ingredients are included, please mix the batter by hand and only for a few folds. I had to change equipments half way through as my food processor didn’t fit the batter so ended up over mixing and it turned out slightly chewy. And perhaps next time I would also add an extra tablespoon of butter. A little bit of what your heart fancies can’t be a bad thing after all.
I find a slice of this cake goes down really nicely with a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon while working.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon grape seed oil
- 1/2 cup and 2 teaspoon packed soft brown sugar
- 4 medium size ripe organic bananas
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup butter milk or mix low fat milk with low fat yoghurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Method
Pre heat the oven to a 180 C. In a food processor place the oil and sugar and beat well adding the eggs, vanilla, milk and yoghurt mixture and bananas. Mix very well. Switch off the machine. On the side in a bowl mix the flour, bicarb, BP, salt, cinnamon and fold the flour into the wet ingredients with the chopped walnuts and place in a 23 by 13 cm loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Bon Apetite.
Ramroom
April 2, 2012
Oh Dear! Why is Sim sim crying? Is it because the bread was so good that she couldnt have another?
Kitchen Butterfly
April 12, 2012
a little bit of what your heart fancies….can certainly not be a bad thing! I LOVE banana bread. And Nigella fascinates me too…..Lots of love X X X
Falise from Switzerland
April 21, 2012
does this girl come with the receipe too? she looks so sweet