focus and banana bread
There is something about baking that I find therapeutic. It’s so exact, systematic and scientific. Cooking certainly keeps my sanity relatively in check, but there's more fluidity and experimentation with my cooking. Once I know a recipe, I become loose with the measurements and creative with the ingredients. And while I love that expression I get with cooking, I look to baking when I need focus.
Focus is a big theme for me this month. I’d love to know how you’re all dealing with January, but the new year always seems to put me in a reflective space. A headspace where I re-evaluate many aspects of my life. A time when all seems possible and everything appears impossible. But I have learned, these reflective phases must be followed by a time of focus. A time where I set into motion a plan to accomplish my goals. A time that I move outside my head and into the real world again. Baking is what I use to move through these times.
Of course, when I am looking to get started, I need a tried-and-true recipe that will be comforting and, for the most part, turn out right. This banana bread is a recipe I have been making for years. I love the use of honey to reduce the refined sugar, and it’s perfect just the way it is, without any additions (although I have added chocolate chips on many occasions).
My favourite Banana Bread
Ingredients
2 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¾ tsp baking soda
3 ripe bananas, mashed
¼ cup whole milk
½ cup honey
1 tbsp vanilla
1 stick butter
½ sugar
2 eggs
Method
Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease 9X5 pan with butter. You can add a layer of parchment paper in for extra protection as well.
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside in a bowl.
Combine bananas, milk, honey, and vanilla. Set aside.
In a bowl beat butter and sugar with electric beater.
Then add in eggs one at a time. Reduce Speed.
Then add in flour mixture and banana mixture one at a time.
Bake for one hour. Test the loaf with a toothpick in the centre of the loaf. If it’s still uncooked, you can bake for another 5-7 minutes.
I typically like it slightly undercooked, so it stays nice and moist for a few days.
What are your favourite baking recipes that you’ve been making for years? What do you do to get out of a mental rut? Let me know your tips!
