Go Bananas!
Another weekend has flown by, but the good news is that there is plenty to show for it by way of good food 
I went a little “bananas” yesterday after my Northwestern Wildcats came back from a 28-3 deficit to beat Indiana 29-28. But the craziness wasn’t limited to jumping up and down in my apartment – although that certainly was a big part of it. I also decided to go bananas…with bread.
While scrounging around the kitchen for ideas to use in a baking project, I realized we had a few overripe bananas that were begging to be put to work. I set aside some for future batches of banana soft serve and decided to use the rest to recreate Nicole’s Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins in bread form.
I have always wanted to try one of Nicole’s recipes and since I happened to have all of the ingredients on hand, I figured banana bread would be the perfect place to start.
To measure out the ingredients, I used this EatSmart Kitchen Scale that I received free in the mail to try and review. It’s a very basic model that displays in ounces, pounds, grams or kilograms. I’d recommend it for measuring out recipe components when you don’t want to dirty measuring cups.
I followed Nicole’s instructions, mixing the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combining.
I then added the batter to a greased baking loaf pan and topped everything with chocolate chunks.
The trickiest part of the baking process was the timing. I baked the bread at 350* for 25 minutes, but knew it would probably need more time as Nicole’s recipe called for muffins in separate cups, whereas my bread was all together in one giant pan (genius observation of the weekend).
I pulled the bread out but it wasn’t quite done, so I put it back in and kept this process up for another 15-20 minutes. It was probably in the oven for 40 minutes total, but I’d give it 35-40 to be sure based on the differences in oven temperatures. As always, you just want to make sure it’s golden on the top and that a knife can go through the middle and come out clean.
I was very pleased with the way this bread turned out! Nicole knows what she is doing and I loved the fact that it was vegan. I could not taste a difference and neither could Bobby or his brother, who was in town visiting for the weekend. This loaf is almost completely gone and it has been less than 12 hours 
Give it a try next time you get the craving to go bananas 
Thanks, Nicole!
We paired our banana bread dessert with a very easy but not-so-vegan dinner. It’s all about balance, right? It was still healthy and delicious: Annie’s Whole Wheat Mac & Cheese tossed with grilled shrimp and edamame. Plus a glass of Two Buck Chuck per your recommendations!
The meal itself was delicious and the wine was pretty tasty, too! We let it sit out for a while after our initial sips and it really took on a better flavor with more time and exposure to open air.
We enjoyed our dinner while catching up on this week’s episode of The Office and Flash Forward. Has anyone else started watching this show? It’s a pretty interesting concept: what if the entire world blacked out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and saw a glimpse of their life 6 months from now?
Some glimpses are heartwarming. Others have been downright scary! Still others saw nothing at all…
I’m always intrigued by story lines like these. I admire the creativity of show writers and am excited to see how this plot will unfold. If it’s anything like Lost, if will leave you confused and wanting more
Today I’ve just been tidying up a bit and doing some blog reading. Another relaxing weekend – check!
Around the Blogosphere
- Check out my guest post on wedding favors for my co-worker’s blog: A Batty Life
- View and vote for ZestyCook in Quaker’s Awaken Your Senses Challenge!
- Let’s continue to send our love and support to Leng – my thoughts are with you!
- Did you hear that the Smart Choices food labeling program is on hold? Thoughts?
- Some of my favorite journalists made the New York Times - check it out. They are subpoenaing students at NU for their grades, class syllabus, expense reports and emails. Insane.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Abrazos,
I am so glad you liked it! Those banana muffins are one of my favorites
Great idea to make it into a loaf!
holy crap that bread look amazzzing!
Hope you have a great Sunday!
Holy yum baked goods!!
Love ‘Flash Forward.”
Nice- the banana bread looks fantastic! I got one of the scales and it totally rocks! I use it for all of my baking. Glad you guys had a nice weekend and that your team won- hooooray
AMAZING loaf of goodies!
oh my gosh, isnt that recipe the best?! i make them for my vegan friends all the time, whenever i have some blackening bananas. i love the idea of making them into a loaf!
Banana and chocolate are a classic combo that never fails to please! This bread looks really dense and yummy
Oh my gosh, now I want wine and to watch the Office again. I think this week’s was the funniest episode yet. We’ve watched it twice. I keep rewinding to the scene of Michael and Jim in the lunchroom. It KILLS me.
Thanks for sharing. I was not aware of Nicole’s website but it looks to be full of good recipes.
I will definitely try that banana bread recipe! You had me at the first pic; it looks divine! I’m also kind of ALWAYS in the mood for banana bread soooo… haha
That bread looks so great! I saw the first episode of Flash Forward and I really like it…but I haven’t been able to watch any others. Hopefully, they’ll be on hulu.com soon.
I checked out flash forward the other night — freaky deaky, stuff! I have to say, I’m not sure I would like to know where I would be 6 months from now. I like the present
I need a food scale! I dirty up so many dishes baking up thangs… momma PB&J no gusta!
p.s. definitely have the Gwen Stefani b-a-n-a-n-a-s song stuck in my head.
I love your banana bread with chocolate chunks! Looks delicious!
I’ve been on a banana bread and muffin making maddddness around here. I have a post up that recaps 3 of the recipes I made this week. They are all super moist. I hate dry baked (or unbaked) goods!
Enjoy that 2 buck chuck my dear
Food scale. Some girls have all the luck. Can I have it when you’re done?
I thought of you when I saw the huge comeback Northwestern made – thought you would be excited
That banana bread looks delicious!
I love all things banana bread- especially when chocolate is involved. Your loaf version of Nicole’s muffins looks delicious- I can see why it’s almost gone! Bananas don’t usually last long enough around my house to have them for banana bread. I have to specifically buy them and deem them banana bread bananas if I want to make it.
The article about the journalism student’s grades, grading criteria, class syllabus, expense reports and e-mail messages being subpoenaed is ridiculous. I really hope they don’t allow the prosecutors to breech the journalists’ right to privacy.
I’m dying over those half melted chocolate chunks in that piece of your naner bread. Yummy. Looks like it turned out great Jenn.
Love The Office, and I cannot wait for Lost. Have been watching Flash Forward, but not sure what I think about it. Definitely an interesting concept.
Hope you enjoyed the rest of your weekend.
That banana bread looks delicious, Jenn! My roomie has been baking lots of pumpkin bread lately, but maybe I’ll try a loaf of banana bread to mix things up soon.
I really want to watch Flash Forward! I’m going to have to hit up abc.com to watch the episodes that I have missed.
Also, that bread looks awesome. I’ve been looking for some vegan desserts to make. I’m definitely not vegan, but I’m always looking for new things to try!
Hooray for the Wildcats win! I’ve been craving mac & cheese lately, so I might just have to copy you with the Annie’s/edamame combo!
Your dinner sound perfect – simple, fresh flavours, and all things that I love. I’m picky about the pasta dishes I’ll eat, but I would totally go for that. Ain’t no shame in a little help from Annie’s either
This bananabread looks soo deliciouse!! I’ll have to try it soon!!
Not only because I love bananas, but also because of the fact that that this recipe comes from another Nicole!! YAY!!
Oh and I started to watch FlashForward too!!! I’m so eager to know what will happen!!!
Have a good day hun!! Hug n.
I love that gorgeous loaf of banana bread! I always pair my banana bread with dark chocolate chunks, it is a match made in heaven, isn’t it? I usually make mine in 8 mini loafs but there is something so handsomely presentable about one perfectly golden large loaf….just beautiful!
i love banana bread with chocolate chips! That looks so good.
That banana bread looks amazing Jenn!!
Oh Smart Choices. Haha or Bob’s Best Life Diet? Whatever it is. It’s whatever we can do to make some more moolah right?
my family loves two buck chuch. my dad was ecstatic when he found out it was only $2. i think it went up to $3 now?
Yes it did! It’s too bad
Banana bread success! I love the chocolate chunks you used…
I love banana bread! It looks great!
Hope you have a good day!
Way to go, Wildcats! That loaf of banana bread looks incredible!! Vegan banana bread is the easiest ‘vegan’ food product to trick people with I’ve noticed. Is that evil that I trick my family? Too bad
I watched the premiere of Flash Forward but haven’t kept up with it – oops!
Mmm, that banana bread looks bah-nanas (a la Rachel Zoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FngN7_DXAg)
Wow, that Northwestern J-school story is outrageous! Thanks for passing along the story to us.
Have a lovely day Jenn!
Hmm, that link doesn’t seem to be working. This should be better
http://zachjohnson.tumblr.com/post/223530317/brittany-e-mailed-this-to-me-the-other-day-and-i
YUMMY bread!!!! I will have to give that a shot!
Mmm, banana bread is my favorite…but I always leave it underbaked
yay for bananas!
jenna
haven’t caught flash forward… but that banana bread looks amazing! and i love your favor ideas
and you’re getting married in scottsdale!! how awesome! perfect time of year, we had a great time!
That banana bread sounds and looks so good. Now I know what to do when I have overripe bananas
Yep, I’ve been watching Flash Forward. It’s pretty interesting! I loved the latest episode!
that looks amazing! Now I’m hoping I don’t finish my bananas and they get brown extra quick this week!!
Ahhhh so jealous of that scale! I have an old ghetto one but that kind that you can zero out when measuring ingredients for baking has to be such a better way than measuring cups.
There are few baked goods better than banana chocolate chip bread! NOM.
Looks like a pretty nice weekend
and that bread looks delicious!!
the chocolate chunks are a great add!
that bread looks GLORIOUS! i love that it’s vegan too and can’t wait to try it. amazing!
and hooray for all wildcats
it makes me so happy when you and bobby have dinner together- you guys are too cute
have a great night!
yum – your bread looks incredible. And thanks so much for the sweet comment about my grandpop the other day – so nice.
Mmmmm…. banana bread with chocolate! I think I might have to make the muffins though – built in portion control.
Oh Jenn, that bread looks SO moist and delicious!
Your banana bread looks fantastic!
That bread looks delicious – and I just LOVE that mac and cheese!
come play at my domicile.
Im realizing that the child eats BETTER and more when she helps prepare the items.
Shed love to bake banana bread with you!!
Beautiful ‘nana bread, missy!
Yum! That Banana Chocolate bread looks amazing Jenn!! Hmm how good does PUMPKIN banana chocolate bread sound right now?!?! Ahh, clearly someone’s craving something sweet