A few days ago, I returned to the good 'ol US of A after 10 days in Europe with a good friend. We covered Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Budapest. We visited the deeply moving Anne Frank house, ate goulash, visited my sister in Prague and explored the city of Budapest.
If you've ever visited another country, the food is usually a highlight - new flavors, spices and of course sweets! I came home with a few recipe challenges such as the dessert flodni which I will have to try soon.
While the food was incredible, there are still some American staples you just can't live without. For one, banana bread. The definition of comfort food, banana bread can be eaten for breakfast, dessert or just snacking and always puts me in a better mood. I even made Jason a banana bread before I left for Europe (you're welcome.)
Since I so often have overripe bananas begging to become banana bread, I am always trying to make it healthier. The recipe I'm going to share came out delicious. It calls for honey as the sweetener but I didn't have any so I used agave instead - a couple tablespoons.
I also added walnuts and you could also add chocolate chips if you so desire! Cut it up and wrap each piece in plastic wrap to freeze it for another time. Enjoy!
If you've ever visited another country, the food is usually a highlight - new flavors, spices and of course sweets! I came home with a few recipe challenges such as the dessert flodni which I will have to try soon.
While the food was incredible, there are still some American staples you just can't live without. For one, banana bread. The definition of comfort food, banana bread can be eaten for breakfast, dessert or just snacking and always puts me in a better mood. I even made Jason a banana bread before I left for Europe (you're welcome.)
Since I so often have overripe bananas begging to become banana bread, I am always trying to make it healthier. The recipe I'm going to share came out delicious. It calls for honey as the sweetener but I didn't have any so I used agave instead - a couple tablespoons.
I also added walnuts and you could also add chocolate chips if you so desire! Cut it up and wrap each piece in plastic wrap to freeze it for another time. Enjoy!
Banana Bread (Healthy), Joyful Mama's Kitchen
INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour (can use white or wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup applesauce (get the kind with no sugar added)
3/4 cup honey (local honey is filled with all kinds of good things that will help you fight your local seasonal allergies)
2 eggs, beaten
3 overripe bananas, mashed
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 9X5 loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl, mix together applesauce, honey, eggs, and mashed bananas.
Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture. Stir just to combine. Batter will be lumpy. Pour batter in to loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes until done in center. Let cool on a baking rack.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour (can use white or wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup applesauce (get the kind with no sugar added)
3/4 cup honey (local honey is filled with all kinds of good things that will help you fight your local seasonal allergies)
2 eggs, beaten
3 overripe bananas, mashed
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 9X5 loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl, mix together applesauce, honey, eggs, and mashed bananas.
Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture. Stir just to combine. Batter will be lumpy. Pour batter in to loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes until done in center. Let cool on a baking rack.