Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Overview
Many people never thought that Mr. Banana and Ms. Peanut would get together. "They're just too different," they would say. "After all, Mr. Banana lives in the tree top penthouse and Ms. Peanut lives underground in that little apartment." But, as is often the case, what everybody thought and what actually was the case turned out to be two different things. Someone with more vision introduced the two and to the critics' surprise, folks were soon eating bananas with peanut butter on them. Everyone admitted that the result was fabulously scrumptious. Soon, folks took the next step and spread some peanut butter on banana bread. Now that's eating. But wait! There's more! Mr. Banana and Ms. Peanut decided to form a merger and combine their assets. The result is the peanut butter banana bread you see here--a delicious, nutritious treat that goes so well with hot tea that we could almost call it a teacake. But that would be giving the bread less praise than it deserves.

The best news is that this recipe is easy. Just gather the ingredients listed below and follow the straightforward instructions.

This recipe makes one loaf.

Recipe

1 2/3 cups ripe bananas (about 3 to 4 bananas)
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup flour (you may use whole wheat flour - I used 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 3/4 cup white flour)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts, but peanuts, almonds, and pecans work well, too)

Preparation

You want to end up with mashed bananas, but as they say in problem solving, there are multiple solution paths--ways of getting from whole bananas to mashed bananas. If you have kids, you can have a banana squishathon and they (with washed hands!) can squish and mash with their bare hands. Or you can use a potato masher. Or for those of you like Marie, who like speed and convenience, or like Bob who are enthusiastic about electric motor powered anything, just use a food processor. Whichever method you choose, squish, mash, or zip (sounds better than "process") those bananas until they are mostly smooth but still have lots of lumps (that reminds Bob of the first mashed potatoes he made). Set this aside.

In another bowl, add the peanut butter and butter and beat the mixture until it's smooth. Next, beat in the eggs. And then add the mashed bananas and mix everything until it's nicely blended.

In yet another bowl, or, to save dishes, in the now empty banana bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt). Gradually add this mixture to the banana mixture and beat it until nicely blended. Lastly, add the nuts. Mix until just blended. Do not overbeat the mixture.

Pour the mix into a greased and floured bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until the bread tests done. (Note: the done test is to insert a toothpick and pull it out. When it comes out clean, the bread is done.) When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and cool it in a pan for about five minutes, then turn it over and gently release it onto a wire rack.

Enjoyment

When the bread is cool, or almost cool (for the impatient), it's time to enjoy a thick slice with a friend and some hot tea. Men and women both enjoy this peanut butter banana bread, so invite a friend, a spouse, or a child and have some great conversation while you share this delicious experience.

Commentary by Bob

Ingredients matter. I hope you won't make any jokes about "comments from the peanut gallery," but I must comment on the peanut butter you choose for this recipe. Briefly, as they say in computerese, "Garbage in, garbage out." I recommend that you use real peanut butter. "Why, Bob," you say, eyebrows rising, "What do you mean? Is there such a thing as peanut butter that isn't real?" What I mean is that you should avoid peanut butter with additives such as hydrogenated vegetable oils and sugar. If you see such words in the ingredients list, I recommend that you put the jar down and step away from the shelf. Look for the "all natural" designation and the ingredients limited to peanuts and salt.

Food for Thought. Now that you have some food for your tummy, here is some for your mind and soul. Glimmering 1244 tells us, "People have more need of models than of critics or even instructors." Those in your circle of influence are more likely to do what you do, not what you say. Everyone knows that talk is, uh, inexpensive. "Actions speak louder than words," says the proverb. Aside from all those surveillance cameras watching you, are you aware of all the people watching you--both friends and strangers? Perhaps we all talk better than we live, but maybe we should work on the aligngment a bit. Why not be a model today? Bless someone with a good example.

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