Gone Bananas

As part of my budget-conscious lifestyle, I absolutely HATE to waste food. The feeling of having to throw something away because the expiration day passed or I just “forgot” to eat it in time simply pains my heart. That is why when a couple of bananas I bought last week starting looking black and disgusting, I was actually excited about it. Why? Because mushy, gross looking bananas are just what you need to make the perfect banana bread. I recently unearthed this recipe from a 2000 issue of Bon Appetit magazine, and I think you’ll agree it’s a keeper!

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour one 9-inch metal loaf pan. Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Combine chocolate chips and walnuts in small bowl; add 1 tablespoon flour mixture and toss to coat.

Beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in mashed bananas, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat in flour mixture. Spoon 1/3 of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of nut mixture. Spoon 1/3 of batter over. Sprinkle with remaining nut mixture. Cover with remaining batter.

Bake bread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Turn out onto rack and let cool. Stuff your face with delicious banana bread! 

(It's healthy because it contains fruit, right? ;)