Banana Bread

Bananas don't stay around very long in my house because I have family of banana lovers. So I actually buy bananas and stash them away (to prevent it from being eaten) so that I can bake with it. 

This Curtis Stone Banana Bread recipe is one that can't go really wrong. Simple and readily available ingredients (which I had in my pantry) are transformed into a moist and fruity loaf topped with crunchy nuts. I like the fact there is no butter needed (only oil) and gets it moisture mostly from the mashed bananas and two spoons of yoghurt. 

This wholesome loaf that is a winner at home and is a great recipe which can be quickly made for breakfast or snack. I'm probably the third or fourth person posting this recipe this month, which proves that no one can resist a good banana loaf!

Banana Bread (Made 2 small loaves)
A Curtis Stone Recipe

Ingredients

•  1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups sugar (reduced to 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups coarsely mashed very ripe bananas (3 large)
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups walnuts, toasted and chopped

Method

•  Preheat oven to 350F/175°C. Butter 1 (9- by 5- by 3-inch) metal loaf pan, then dust with flour, knocking out excess.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl.
• Beat together eggs and sugar in bowl of electric mixer at medium-high speed until very thick and pale and mixture forms a ribbon when beater is lifted, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add oil in a slow stream, mixing, then mix in bananas, yogurt, and vanilla. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in flour mixture and walnuts gently but thoroughly.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pan, spreading evenly, and bake in middle of oven until golden brown and a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
• Cool loaf in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Turn loaf right side up and cool completely.

This post is linked to Cook Like A Star, where this month's featured chef is Curtis Stone, an event organized by Zoe from Bake For Happy Kids together with co-hosts, Baby Sumo from Eat Your Heart Out and Grace from Life Can Be Simple.