November 2011, In the Kitchen

Banana Bread

Mon, Oct 31, 2011

Preparing a meal or treat together puts everyone in the same space, and offers a no pressure opportunity to open up about what's been going on in each other's lives. 

Cost savings: Save money by easily cooking at home with inexpensive ingredients that are probably already in the pantry. 

Teach and reinforce simple math skills: Cooking requires careful measurement of ingredients. Counting, sorting, measuring, and timing support lessons younger children may be experiencing in school but in a more enjoyable way that makes it much easier for children to visualize addition, subtraction, or fractions. 

Learn to work together: Assigning individual tasks to all involved fosters lessons of patience, cooperation and joint effort. These are important things to understand no matter one's age. 

Reward for hard work: Delicious treats, much better than store bought! 

Here is a great recipe, which is easy to make and delicious. Kids love to help by mashing the bananas! 

Banana Bread

Makes two bread pan size loaves or one large 9” x 13” cake. Loaves can be stored in plastic in the refrigerator or even frozen to enjoy.

2    C sugar, part brown
1    stick butter or margarine
½    C oil
4    eggs
½    C buttermilk
2    tsp vanilla
3    C flour
½    tsp salt
2    tsp baking soda
½    tsp baking powder
1    C chopped walnuts
4    large mashed bananas
(over ripe ones give better flavor)

Cream together: sugar, butter, and oil Add: eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla - mix well Add the dry ingredients after you have sifted them together Add last: Walnuts and bananas Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes 

Peanut Butter Frosting for Banana Bread

Add into a bowl:

¼ C Butter (at room temperature)
¼ C Peanut Butter
2 C Powdered Sugar

Add 1 T water at a time until you have a spreading consistently.