The Best Laid Plans
Poor banana bread.
In a world of delicious baked goods, it’s never at the top of anyone’s list of favorites. I’m not sure it has to do with the bread itself, which, who are we kidding, should more accurately be called a cake, but more to do with the fact that no one ever plans to make banana bread. Banana bread is more of a tolerable accident.
No one says, “Could you not make that flourless chocolate torte for my birthday? I’d really prefer banana bread?” and no restaurant ever charges $14 at the bottom of their desserts menu for a slice, calling it, “Better than Sex Banana Bread” (if you do find that on any restaurant menu, please order me a slice loaf).
Banana bread is really the incarnate of garbage. It’s the only food I can think of where it’s key ingredient is rotting on the kitchen counter, attracting fruit flies and smelling like a 7th grade locker whose owner had the week previously shoved her lovingly-packed sack lunch under a gym bag, social studies textbook and graphing calculator, “forgotten” it and gone for the tater tots and milkshakes in the lunch line instead (I never did that, Mom. I never owned a graphing calculator).
Through all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks, with Pea Daddy’s arbitration at work, Gigi’s turn to present the Sharing Bag at preschool, my own projects and Lulu’s busy social calendar packed with Bubble Potty Parties, my house has slightly felt like it has been falling down around me. We’re not talking Hoarders level (I saw our cat Maggie yesterday and she’s doing just fine), but enough decomposition in my kitchen to actually have me planning to make banana bread with the three browning bananas that were on my counter. They’d be perfect for a tasty loaf.
The day that the bananas were destined to get their Extreme Makeover was another busy one, and I had an early call at a time when I am usually still in my sweaty gym clothes, chugging coffee and looking like a celebrity caught off-guard by Star magazine. But I’d planned in advance, setting out the girls’ clothes the night before (as if those 45 seconds it takes to open the dresser drawers was going to mean the difference between blissful inner peace or say, my reaction if my DVR had forgotten to tape the series finale of LOST. Six confusing years of my life, people). I also set my alarm for an hour earlier so that I could workout before anyone else was awake.
Unfortunately by the time my alarm went off at 5:45, I could hear the turning of pages in Gigi’s room, followed by her singsong voice saying:
“These Things will not bite you. They want to have fun. Then, out of the box came Thing Two and Thing One!”
The Cat in the Hat’s creepy slave labor.
Any pride I was feeling for her recitation skills instantly turned into regret over our Cat and the Hat viewing/picnic the night before. I should say “additional regret,” as that cinematic masterpiece didn’t get 1 1/2 stars for nothing.
Moments later, I heard Thing Two shouting to be released from her own box and dressed. At 5:45 a.m.
She’s right to be wearing sandals and ponytails when it’s still dark outside. Those paparazzi are sneaky.
No matter what your athletic ability, you haven’t really worked out until you’ve done so while blowing bubbles, mopping an entire carton of soy yogurt off the hardwood floors and debating with a 4 year-old whether or not 55 degrees is “tank top weather.” Now that is an Insanity workout. Still, I managed to get it all done and get everyone that needed to be out the door on their way in almost seasonably appropriate clothing.
My mom soon arrived to “keep an eye on” Lulu while I took care of my business. “Keep an eye on” is code word for teaching Lulu to play BINGO five feet from where I am trying to form an eloquent (or at least coherent) sentence. Any fears I might harbor about Lulu’s lung capacity are forever put to rest.
When Lulu had taken my mom for all she was worth and I was off the phone, I walked in the kitchen to find another small hitch in my plans.
Two and a half bananas. I’d had my heart set on three (if one’s heart can EVER be set on banana bread). While I felt my reaction was casual in nature, I’m quite sure that my mother will never offer to “keep an eye on” either of my children again, and I can kiss that graphing calculator I’d been eyeing for my birthday goodbye.
This entire chaotic morning taught me something though, and maybe the next time I want to plan every microsecond of my life, or at least a Friday morning, I’ll think about this banana bread and have a cup of tea instead of making a 23rd To-Do List. Because sometimes even the best laid plans, when spoiled, can still turn out amazing.
Toasted Almond Flax Banana Bread
- 2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. nutmeg
- 1/2 c. organic brown sugar
- Three 2 1/2 overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1/4 c. almond butter
- 1/4 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1/2 t. almond extract
- 1/3 c. almonds, chopped
- 1 1/2 T. flax seeds, whole
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mash bananas in a medium sized bowl. Cream together almond butter, margarine and brown sugar, using a hand mixer or a vigorous fork, and add to bananas. Add almond extract and almond milk and stir to combine.
Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet over medium heat, toast almonds and flax seeds until just starting to become aromatic, approximately 2 minutes.
Spread batter into a loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray, and scatter seeds and nuts on top.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before slicing.
Now that’s all well and good…until Lulu asks for the second half of her banana. Hmmm…how about a nice slice of banana bread instead?
BINGO!
When I was a kid, my sister and I (we’re twins) always asked for lemon cake for our birthday. We didn’t realize until many years later that it came from a box. I’d prefer some homemade banana bread! Yours looks amazing. I eat two bananas a day (usually), so you’d think there wouldn’t be any leftovers, but they seem to rot so quickly that there’s often enough for some baking (or for freezing). I made banana chocolate chip muffins last night! And I don’t know why anyone would want anything else.
You slay me.
So, here’s my dilemma, stop all activity at Disneyworld to watch LOST in our hotel room in a couple of weeks (it’s NOT the finale) or return home in hopes that we haven’t a power outage and it’s safely on our DVR? Or 3) watch it at ABC.com in an airport?
I really am tempted to take time out of our super fun vacay to watch a tv show and yet I know that’s insane. Please help.
That looks delicious, especially the topping. A great mix of flavors! I’ve only made banana bread from a box but you’re inspiring me to try something new.
Actually love banana bread but never plan to make it. That is, until I made a loaf of Avocado Banana Bread. By golly, now I buy super yellow bananas for the sole purpose of making banana bread!
No pity for banana bread anymore
YUM! Love the toasted nuts and seeds on top
Oh, I love banana bread, but that is so true that no one ever actually plans to make it. Your recipe looks great. I love the almond and flax topping!! Looks wonderful!!
That banana bread looks darn good! Thinking of making a GF loaf!
When I have bananas that are starting to turn, I slice them up and spread them single layer onto a cookie sheet. Then I pop the cookie sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, I dump the frozen bananas in a bag. I should mention however, that I have only remembered to do this a handful of times!
Yum! I make a PB Banana Bread loaf that’s really good but I don’t make it frequently b/c it’s sooooo rich! I also dont use gluten flour so between almond flour, PB, and bananas…it’s decadent
Your loaf looks awesome!
As for blogging breaks, time off all weekend for you! love it!!!!!!!!! And next weekend, I plan to follow suit or at least somewhat follow suit
I hope you do post your pics but beware of rude people. I got a double whammy pot shot today..my body shape AND my parenting all in one comment. Fun one to wake up to. Not trying to scare you off but you know workout pics are SUCH an easy target for the haters. But I am a supporter and will beat up the bullies with my new muscles
xo
oh man, I love banana bread (well muffins) and I plan to make them, as in when the bananas are still green I am plotting how to turn them brown faster so that I can make said muffins.
My mom and grandma used to have to hide the bananas from us so they could make banana bread. I love banana bread but I love bananas too
You have been so on with your posts, lately. This was just another notch in your belt of hilarity!
I love the topping on your banana bread. It makes it look “artisinal” I would say.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried banana bread. Not that I remember at least
Well, maybe I have. Anyway, it does look really good 
AWww, why does Banana Bread get the shaft when it comes to the dessert pole? If it’s done right, it’s nearly as decadent as a creme brule or triamisu. I would definitely choose the banana bread over the chocolate cake on the menu any day, especially if it’s your banana bread. Holy Yum!
I have to tell you, banana bread actually IS my husband’s favorite. But he’s a weirdo.
I won’t show this to him; otherwise he’d give those “Why aren’t you making me banana bread like Mama Pea’s?” looks all night long.
MMMMM that looks incredible.
oh gosh! id have banana bread over cake too!!!
how about you make me banana bread and ill make you a stir fry?!
p.s. the other day’s picnic with tortilla pinwheels just made me tickledddddddd! so sweeet
That banana bread looks delicious! I would take it over cake any day – I am not a cake person. The only problem I have is eating the entire loaf!
I’m not usually big on banana bread, but the topping on your’s looks DIVINE.
ohhhh…banana bread and me need to have an affair. esp the one you made. but i want walnuts, not almonds…LOVE.
wow, it looks so good! that is something i haven’t had in way too long, because like you said…who PLANS on having banana bread?! I need to get on that though asap! Thanks for the recipe
I am a ripe banana lover. The 2.5 banana photo made me drool just a bit out of the side of my mouth. The black ones- no problemo- I’d just freeze those- they’d make specTACular smoothies.
Hope you had a nice weekend off. Totally deserved.
I actually freaked out one time when I saw a friend of mine throw perfectly good banana bread bananas! They are just little diamonds in the rough! Never judge a book by it’s cover…sorry, I am full of it tonight!
mmmm…I have fond memories of banana bread in my house. It would be rather tasty if baked into circle pans and sandwiched between layers of peanut butter or dark chocolate frosting…oh god i’m drooling now.
I am eating it right now. Sooooo good. I threw 3 over ripe bananas in the trash earlier today. Then I saw your recipe and thought, hey, why not? So I fetched them out and went right to work. It has such an almondy aroma and taste. Not your typical banana bread. I think next time I will go with the 3 bananas rather than the 2 1/2 like you did. I was just trying to follow along
Really though, it is very good and we aren’t vegan. In fact we will eat it with our chicken soup tonight.
I actually LOVE banana bread…the thing that rots in my house is my brain.
I realized I have almost all of the ingredients!! I’m so excited to make this
I hope you and your family enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend!
I always save my “going bad bananas” for smoothines, but maybe I should try the bread idea. I laughed at laying your kids clothes out the night before. I do that every night and I can’t sleep until it is all done. I swear it makes my mornings smoother (although, the 45 seconds probably doesn’t matter at all).
YUM!! I love banana bread…thanks for the recipe!! Banana bread used to be and still is my all time favorite snack, I have great memories coming home from school and enjoying freshly baked banana bread that my mom made ; )
And just have to say I enjoyed your previous post…I love all the fun in the living room!
xoxo
i can’t believe how all your baked goods turn out so fluffy with whole wheat pastry flour! mine always comes out gummy with that
I buy it in out of the bulk bins. It always seems lighter and fluffier than the dense “bricks” (as my friend Deb calls them) that you get on the shelf. I’d recommend trying the bulk kind!
I have two rotting bananas sitting on my counter, leftover from last week when I was produce-adverse. I wonder if I can swing this recipe with just two bananas…
Lulu’s outfit is so cute! She is growing so fast!
I love banana bread. It is so good! But my uncle makes the BEST banana bread ever!
Yum those almonds on top of the bread look tasty! I agree with everyone Lulu is definitely becoming a big girl! Must be the veggies!
It’s funny that you write about banana bread being kinda like the loner kid in school because banana bread was always a big deal in our house growing up. I think it’s because my mom is such a good baker and she has always made the best banana bread. Your girls are so lucky to have a nice mama like you baking for them!
Yup! That gorgeous slab of deliciousness is what every near putrid banana secretly longs to be LOL
I love your blog and have nominated you for an award. You’re not obliged to accept but I do hope you will come by my blog and take a look
http://quickiesonthedinnertable.yolasite.com/recipes/and-the-award-goes-to-
I love banana bread! No lie I was just thinking about it the other day, “Hrm, I have yet to make some banana bread. I totally should!” And I shall.
Thing Two looks so cute in that little yellow outfit!
Aww, hope you got some productivity in there!
That banana bread looks amazing. I rarely make it enough. I usually freeze all my rotting bananas for smoothies instead!
ok, so i may be able to relate to the nearly black bananas being the inspiration for banana bread…however, i kinda prefer my moms bread to most other desserts. its genuinely one of my faves.
ok, now for a serious question: will you be around in the early july? during our time “off,” kyle and i will be driving to his parents’ house (upstate WA) from CA and we were thinking of stopping in on my fave oregonians. i know your girls occupy more than 100% of your time, but if you are interested in or available to meet up for lunch or anything let me know. we would love to say hi
just made this into muffins! so good! made a couple modifications that worked well:
subbed 1/2c. of the whole wheat flour for oats, used 3 bananas and didn’t put in the butter. SO good. my boyfriend is on his second one and i pulled them out of the oven about 2 minutes ago
Just made this and it looks beautimous! Cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing another ah-mazing recipe!