Flavour of the Month: Go Bananas 🍌

 
 
As we’re approaching the cold winter months, we think it’s essential to have something sweet on hand to keep you going. This banana bread recipe can be enjoyed at any time of the day – breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as something sweet in the evening. It’s transportable, very easy to make, and can be adapted in many ways.
 
It also makes a great gift, so feel free to test run it now. Once you’ve perfected it, wrap it up in brown paper and give it as a present around the Christmas season for family and friends.

 

Christmas Banana Bread

 

 

What’s in season in November?

Apples, Clementines, Cranberries, Passion Fruit, Pears, Pomegranate, Satsumas

Artichoke, Beetroot, Butternut Squash, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Leeks, Parsnips, Shallots, Truffles, Watercress, Wild Mushrooms

Almonds, Brazil nuts, Chestnuts, Hazelnuts, Rosemary, Sage, Walnuts

Beef, Duck, Goose, Lamb, Turkey

Cod, Crab, Dover Sole, Haddock, Halibut, Hake, Lemon Sole, Lobster, Mackerel, Monkfish, Mussels, Plaice, Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Skate, Squid, Turbot

 

 

Freshly baked Cinnamon Banana Bread

freshly baked banana bread
Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

10 servings

 

 

Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

½ cup (100g) white sugar

½ cup (100g) brown sugar

3tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

1tsp ground cinnamon

1-2 drops of vanilla essence

5 – 3 ripe bananas (depends on how much you want it to taste like banana, aim for stage 6-7; see banana poster below).

1 cup (240ml) milk (we used oat milk for this recipe)

3 tbsp (45g) coconut oil

1 egg (alternatively you can use a vegan egg replacer)

 

Banana Ripeness

The greater the number of spots the sweeter the banana will taste, as well as becoming more nutrient dense due to the increase in available antioxidants.
Bananas at various stages of ripeness

Bananas at various stages of ripeness – photo by doucefrugalite on Pixabay

 

 

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180
  2. Add flour, white & brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into a medium size mixing bowl*
  3. Combine the egg, milk, and bananas into a food processor and mix until smooth
  4. Grease a loaf pan dish and line with baking paper
  5. Pour in the batter, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until the loaf has risen and is golden brown
  6. Remove from the oven and check it is cooked all the way through by sticking in a knife, and it being clean once removed
  7. Allow to cool or enjoy hot
  8. Consume within 5 days

 

 
*To get more creative with this recipe, use seasonal cranberries and/or other dried fruits into the mix with the flour. You could also incorporate melted dark chocolate to create a marble cake effect.
 

 

banana bread recipe

 

 

Toppings

The simplicity of the loaf means you can get creative with toppings 😋
 
Option 1 (easy)banana bread toppings

Add a generous nob of butter, Nutella, or your favourite nut butter (Meridian’s brazil nut, almond & coconut, and cashew butters are all delicious)

 

Option 2 (naughty)

Clotted cream, dulce de leche and caramelised pecans.

 

Option 3 (healthy & seasonal)

Cranberries, walnuts, yoghurt & honey

 

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