Tag: bread
Banana Chocolate Walnut Bread
I have been baking this bread for many years now. I got the original recipe from food television but have tweaked it over time. One of the things I changed was the sugar. I have stopped using white sugar and have switched to sugar made out of evaporated cane juice. The raw version of that is turbinado sugar. It brings a crunch and a nutty flavor to the bread. I also substituted all-purpose flour to white whole-wheat flour. This definitely darkens the color of the bread and again it adds nuttiness to it. I also added chocolate to it! Now anything with chocolate is usually very good- including this bread. I guarantee this will be the best banana bread you will taste! It is simply delicious!! I am curious to know if any of you have a favorite banana bread recipe. My daughter absolutely loves it and likes to take some to school for an after lunch dessert. I don’t mind as I am happy about the healthy ingredients in it. It is good for breakfast, snack or dessert!
- 1¼ cups unbleached white whole-wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for preparing the pan
- 1 cup turbinado sugar
- 3 very ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed with a fork (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup toasted walnut pieces
- ½ cup milk or dark chocolate, chips or grated
Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl, set aside. Whisk the eggs and vanilla together in a liquid measuring cup with a spout, set aside. Lightly brush a 9X5X3 inches loaf pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the butter while mixing until incorporated. Add the bananas (the mixture will appear to be curdled), and remove the bowl from the mixer.
With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the nuts and chocolate pieces and transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes before taking it out. Cool completely before serving.
Savory Frenchtoast
I am not sure if a lot of people are aware of savory French toast. I grew up with it, my Mom used to make it for dinner all the time. There was a street vendor near our house who sold the same thing but took it to a different level! He added onions, cilantro and lots of Serrano chili. Over the years it was my brother who replicated the dish at home. Recently I asked him how to make it. Today since it was snowing, my husband remembered the dish – it’s definitely a comfort food- and we made it.
The original dish is made with white bread, I wanted to be healthy and used whole-wheat instead. It also tastes great if you add grated cheese in the egg mixture.
Growing up we used to have the savory French toast with ketchup. Recently I have discovered a jar of tomato chutney sold at Trader Joes, which goes perfectly with this dish.
We really enjoyed the French toast with a hot cup of Masala Coffee – you wonder what that is? Well I will have to divulge that another day!
- 4 pieces sliced bread
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 serrano chili, chopped
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Egg Mixture
In a wide, shallow plate add the eggs, salt, cayenne pepper and the water. Beat until everything is mixed well. Add cilantro and mix. Keep aside.
Heat a large non-stick pan and add one teaspoon oil. Add half cup of the green onions, serrano chili and sauté on medium heat for about a minute. (Work with 2 slices at one time) Take each slice and dip in the egg mixture and place on top of the cooking green onions and serrano chili. Cook for at least 4-5 minutes on medium heat. Flip both the slices to cook the other sides for another 4-5 minutes. Once both sides are cooked well, place one slice on top of the other (like a grilled cheese sandwich). Cut in half and serve.
Follow the same steps with the other two slices with the left over green onion and egg mixture.
Grilled Lavash Bread
- 4 large pieces of Lavash bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Brush olive oil on the bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grill till golden brown on both sides.