BANANA Bread

Banana-Coconut Bread
Adapted from HomeBaking: The Artful Mix of Flour and Tradition around the World, by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid

I sprinkle Maple Sugar instead of demerara. It turns out the same. This coconut adds such depth to the standard banana bread. I used condensed coconut out of a box (whole foods) and added hot water to make it more of a yogurt consistency. I guess you could use dried coconut, but I like the consistency the boxed coconut provides. Hope you enjoy!

About 3 large, overripe bananas
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp distilled white vinegar
1 ½ Tbsp. dark rum
½ cup dried shredded unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp. demerara or dark brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a standard-size loaf pan.

In a blender or food processor, purée the bananas. Measure out 1 ½ cups of purée. [If you have more than that, try stirring the excess into some plain yogurt. It’s delicious.] Set the purée aside.

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

In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vinegar and rum, and beat to mix well. Add the banana purée and the flour mixture alternately, about 1 cup at a time, beginning with the banana and beating to just incorporate. Use a spatula to fold in any flour that has not been absorbed, and stir in the coconut. Do not overmix.

Scrape the batter – it will be thick – into the prepared pan. Smooth the top, and sprinkle evenly with the demerara sugar. Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes; then turn the loaf out of the pan and allow it to cool completely.

This loaf will keep, sealed airtight, for three to four days, although it is best, I think, on the second day.

Note: You can use frozen bananas here too, and with beautiful results. Whenever I have overripe bananas sitting on my counter, I throw them – skin and all – into the freezer for safekeeping. When I want to bake with them, I pull them out a few hours before, put them in a wide, shallow bowl, and let them thaw. When they have softened fully, I tear open the skin and let the soft, slippery flesh spill out. Be sure to save any juices that come out with it; they’re very flavorful and can be puréed along with the flesh.

Yield: 1 loaf

Oatmeal Muffins

Once again, I am browsing 101 Cookbooks blog and Heidi had just posted this amazing recipe for Oatmeal Muffins. I followed it exactly, save for Greek yogurt instead of regular. I also used cake flour, which I found lends great fluff and softness into all baking/flour recipes I make. These are so good and not too sweet, which I love. Enjoy.

Crumble topping:
scant 3/4 cup / 3 oz / 85 g whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup / 1.5 oz / 45 g rolled oats
1/2 cup / 2.5 oz / 70 g natural cane or brown sugar
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/3 cup / 2.5 oz / 70 g unsalted butter, melted

Muffin batter:
1 cup / 3.5 oz / 100 g rolled oats
3/4 cup / 3.5 oz / 100 g unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup / 3.5 oz / 100 g whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
7/8 cup / 7 oz / 200 g unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
1/2 cup / 2.5 oz / 70 g natural cane or brown sugar
1 1/2 cups / 12 oz / 350 ml plain yogurt
2 large eggs, whisked

Preheat oven to 350F / 180C. Butter one or two muffin pans generously. I didn't use paper liners, and I'm glad I didn't. Place oven racks in top third of oven.

Get your crumble topping for your muffins started first. Use a fork to combine the flour, oats, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter. Divide the mixture into three portions, and use your hands to form into three flat-ish patties. Place the patties in a bowl in the freezer for about ten minutes.

Now, onto the muffin batter. In a medium bowl combine the oats, flours, baking soda, and sea salt. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Whisk in the yogurt, and then the eggs. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir just until combined. Do your best to avoid over mixing.

Pour the batter into the muffin tins, filling each 3/4 full. Pull the crumble from the freezer and break it up into small and medium pieces. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with crumble, place the muffins in the oven and bake 30 - 35 minutes or until tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool just a minute or so, then turn out onto a cooling rack - important!

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen muffins.
Prep time: 10 min - Cook time: 35 min

Grilled Plantains with Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco is easily found at Taqueria/mexican stores where you can buy it in bulk.

Directions
1. Spray plantain slices on both sides with olive oil cooking spray, and sprinkle with chili powder. Season with salt, if desired. Brush grill with oil. Place plantain slices on grill, close, and cook on medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, or until plantain slices look crisp and dry. Transfer to plate.

2. Place queso fresco on grill, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until grill marks appear.

3. Meanwhile, stir together salsa, cilantro (if using), and 1/2 tsp. lime juice.

4. Arrange greens on one side of each serving plate; drizzle with remaining 2 tsp. lime juice and 1 Tbs. oil. Set 1 layer (4 to 5 slices) plantain slices on other side of each plate; top with grilled queso fresco slices, and then with remaining plantain slices. Spoon salsa over plantains, and sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco (if using).

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ingredient list

Serves 2

* 2 green plantains, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
* 1/2 tsp. chili powder
* 1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing grill
* 2 oz. queso fresco, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, plus more crumbled for garnish (optional)
* 1/2 cup fresh-packed salsa
* 2 Tbs. chopped cilantro, optional
* 2 1/2 tsp. lime juice, divided
* 2 cups torn romaine lettuce or baby mesclun greens

Nutritional Information

Per serving:
Calories 347
Protein 7g
Total Fat 10g
Saturated Fat 3g
Carbs 65g
Cholesterol 9mg
Sodium 204mg
Fiber 6g
Sugar 30g