May 10, 2010

Tart. Not Sweet.

1_IMG_4011

Monday a.m.

"How do they taste?" I asked.

"A little tart." He responded.

"Do you want some sugar?" I asked.

"No, that's okay. Do you want the rest? I can't eat them all." He said.

"Sure. I'll eat them." I said.

So, I puckered up. Tart strawberries alongside a generous slice of banana bread with peanut butter, and coffee with a touch of milk.

2_IMG_4016

We don't want to add sugar. We want sun sweetened strawberries that might take the farmer another day or two to get to market.

Sigh...

3_IMG_4014

Sunday a.m.

$5/quart

"Seriously? Look...They're all $5.00." I said, pointing to a different stand.

Roberto pulled out a five. With great hesitation I picked out a quart and handed it to the young woman.

"They'd sell more and there'd be less waste if they lowered the price. $2.50—$3.00." I said scowling.

"They're probably not even local." He said.

"I know." I said.

4_IMG_4010

Friday p.m.

Banana bread AGAIN. The recipe tweaked. Oil in lieu of butter. A heavy hand of chopped pecans. The result: moister, lighter, higher loaf.

"This tastes better. It's not as dry." I said.

"It is better." He said.

I smiled.

5_IMG_4009
6_IMG_4017

Recipe: Banana Bread AGAIN

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine the following dry ingredients in a separate bowl:
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together by hand or with a mixer:
1/3 cup canola oil
2/3 cup sugar
then add...
2 large eggs and mix
then add...
3 medium bananas (mashed) and mix

Add in dry ingredients, mixing until just blended.

Add in chopped pecans (as much as you like) and mix until just blended.

Pour mixture into a parchment lined non-stick 8"x4" loaf pan.

Bake for about an hour.

13 comments:

  1. Oh no! I know I have to fit into a little black dress for an upcoming wedding, but will I be able to resist that recipe?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have sliced sweet ripe strawberries and put them on toast with cashew butter and it is a great combination.
    Having banana bread with peanut butter and fresh strawberries - now that is a decadent breakfast that I would love! Maybe I need to get baking....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Banana bread recipe looks delicious,strawberries and peanut butter....yum! I wish this was on my breakfast menu right now! :)
    I will have to give it a try....hope it will turn out moist, as my experience with banana bread recipes is on a rather dryish side.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aren't tart strawberries so discouraging?!! It makes me sad just biting into one. Your "again" banana bread sounds just splendid though, and at least the strawberries LOOK pretty. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michele - This recipe is very forgiving. You could always freeze half. Half the temptation. :)

    E - I have thought about cashew butter recently. Need to put it on my grocery list. Great idea in lieu of peanut butter. Now I want toast with cashew butter. :)

    M. - The oil worked wonders. I would give it a try in lieu of butter next time. In fact, I can't wait for another batch of bananas to go black so I can bake another loaf. :)

    Tart - The strawberries certainly looked the part. It was discouraging though. Now I think I'll lay them to rest in the freezer. Come winter I'll entertain a strawberry tart, Tart. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting---$5.00 a quart seems to be the going farmers market price!
    here as well for the local/organics...$4 for the "regulars"

    this month's Saveur ran a test of several banana bread recipes, comparing the virtues of butter vs. oil, among other things---their results were like yours---lighter, taller, mo' bettah

    great photos, Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  7. nancy - I'm going to have to pick up a copy of Saveur! Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. What tempting photography you have here. Bring on the banana bread again and again, and yet again, by all means.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the way you tell stories in your blog. How lovely. Can't wait to read more!

    ReplyDelete
  10. lisa - Thank you so much. That made my day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can you possibly make too many banana breads? The answer is a resounding "Noooo"!
    Do you think olive oil would be a good substitute for the canola oil? Or would it be too heavy? Have you ever tried it?

    ReplyDelete
  12. magda - Funny you should ask. I made another one this morning with olive oil because we are out of canola. Haven't tasted it yet...will let you know.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.