Banana bread recipe

Bababa...babananaaaa!!! bababa babananaaaa!!.. (singing)

Oh, Hello there! Hope you're all doing great. As for me, getting by with the day and quite busy at the moment. Yet, I was able to take a little bit of relaxation by baking my favourite banana bread. 

Banana is one favourite fruit of mine. It is one of the healthiest super fruit in the world, if I may say so. It is because it has lot of nutrients. And now that I am running all the more I am eating lots of banana and stocking more at home. 

Back in my country, banana is in great abundance. We are one great exporter in the world. Because we have all in variety....name it. we have all shapes, sizes and colours. We can actually do everything with a banana. From its trunks, leaves up to its fruits. We have lots of recipes with banana as well. Although, it all depends on what kind or variety. We have a banana only good for steaming, desserts, baking and we can add it also in our main dish. How is that?  

*wink

Needless to say, here in Poland I can only find one variety. Usually when it's on promotion, i took that chance to buy more for me to make it into banana bread. Banana bread is one type of pastry that my children really love eating for snack or over breakfast. Without further ado, here it is....

 

For the recipe, it is as simple as ABC's . 

You need:

1/3 cup of canola oil

3/4 cup of sugar (I used brown sugar)

1 large egg

3/4 cup mashed banana ( choose one that is super ripe like the skin is turning brown)

2 tbsps. applesauce ( you can use sour cream or buttermilk, too)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour 

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt or pinch of salt

How to:

1 Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Coat pan with oil if you are not using silicon moulder.

2. Combine canola oil and sugar in a medium bowl. Mix until sugar begins to dissolve. 

3. Add mashed bananas and applesauce (if using). Mix until just combined. 

4. Add eggs.

In a separate bowl. 

1. sift together dry ingredients  (wheat flour, all purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt) 

2. Add to creamed banana-egg mixture until just combine.  

3. Pour into the pan and bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

4. You may top it with grind peanuts or any toppings you like. 

5. Serve into slices.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee/tea or with your favourite ice cream. I love it with vanilla ice cream, by the way. 

There you go folks.  I hope you will try this simple banana bread recipe and don't forget to share your banana bread experience with me. 

'till next time......

as we say in Polish, Smacznego! (enjoy your meal).

xxAi

Peach Pie

It was a dreary boring day. I feel like I have to do something to cut-off this sanity. This boredom. A good friend once mentioned to me that she miss my baking goodies, and that put me back to such sense of awakening.....Yes! I need to get back into baking.

Baking, cooking and doing stuffs that involves using my hands provides a sort of relief. A theraphy of sorts to put  mind back in focus. Baking ..cooking is so therapeutic for me.  I can be myself and experesses my thoughts into it freely.

While searching among my growing number of recipe books, I came through the pie section. And thought, I never tried baking pie..never. Not that I'm afraid of trying of making one. Just that it's not part of my list of favourite pastries to eat nor bake. I'm a very cake person. If you know me well enough. Without further hesitation, I arrived into the conclusion of why not make pie a try. For I feel like the recipe isn't that hard to make. 

after checking my pantry if I've got  all the ingredients to make, even though I only have canned peach as fruit. Still, I forego. 

Voila! Indeed, I made my first ever peach pie. It doesn't require a lot of time and effort actually. which I though at first. 

Peach Pie

Ingredients:

    Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for bench and cutters

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

250g chilled unsalted butter , cut into cubes

4 tbsps. ice water, plus more as needed

Filling 

10 cans peaches or 10 ripe peaches

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg ( separate the white from the yolk)

How to:

for the crust: In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, salt and cold butter. If you don't have a food processor. You can use mix them manually.  If the mixture is a bit dry, add more ice water by the tablespoon until it comes together.  Gather the dough into a ball.  Divide the mixture evenly in half and wrap each dough in plastic wrap. Chill at least 30 minutes. 

Preheat oven at 230 degrees Celcius.  

After 30 minutes.....Flour your rolling pin and roll out 1 pie crust to about a 12-inch round.  shape over a 9 1/2 inch fluted pie plate.  Roll out the other pie crust to about a 10- inch round, and cut this into an inch strips with a fluted pizza cutter or knife.  

FOR THE FILLING:  Peel and cut the peaches into 1/4 inch thick slices and toss with vanilla extract, sugar, and cinnamon powder in a large bowl.   Pour the peaches into the pie crust. Scatter with teh pieces of butter. Top with the pie strips. Brush away any flour underneath the strips to make sure it seals well. Crimp the edtges to seal. I push it a bit using fork.  Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon water and that's the egg wash.  Brush the strips and edges with the egg wash.  Pop in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to180 degrees celcius. Bake until the crust gets brown, about 50 minutes more. Cool about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve for desserts or during tea and coffee time. You can garnish it with ice cream during the summer. But i like mine eaten as it is. Now, I'm a pie convert. 

It's easy as pie, isn't it? 

The best chocolate chip cookies!

Babka Rodzywkowa - Raisin Cake

Been wanting to try this simple easy to bake recipe of 'babka rodzywkowa' or raisin cake in English. Good thing though, that a close friend gave me her recipe of this simple yet yummy Polish cake. Which is great for tea and coffee time with the family and friends. 

So lately, been tremendously busy.  Too many guests to entertain in the house..too much time conditioning my little ones minds for school time. And so, this quick easy to bake babka save some of my tea time preparation for friends. And, my children already knows how and what to do next with less supervision of me.  It's a super moist cake and great pair over a cup of coffee or tea.  

BABKA RODZYWKOWA:

 3 szklanki mąki ( 3 cups of flour)
1 szklanka cukru ( 1 cup of sugar)
1 kostka margaryny ( 1 cube of margarine like 250g)
5 jajek  ( 5 eggs)
30 dkg. rodzynek  ( 30 ounces of raisins/sultanas)
1 szklanka mleko  ( 1 cup milk)
1 proszek do pieczenia ( 1 sachet of baking powder)
1 cukier waniliowy( 1 sachet of vanilla sugar) or you can use vanilla extract like 1 tsp.

Wykonanie: Margarynę utrzeć z cukrem i cukren waniliowym. Dodać zółtka, mąkę z proszkiem do pieczenia, wlać mleko, dodać rodzynki i na końcu ubitę pianę z białek. Piec 1 godz. w temperaturze 180c.

How to: 
Cream the margarine and add sugar and vanilla sugar.  Add egg yolks, flour with baking powder, pour the milk, add the raisins and beat the egg whites until stiff.  Mix the egg whites to the flour mixture and mix until blend together. Bake for 1 hour in 180 degrees celcius oven. Of course, preheat your oven before putting your cake mixture. 

Smacznego!

P.S. picture was taken from my instagram account. Yes! i join the bandwagon of instagramners for my blog and to follow my fellow bloggers who likes to bake, cook and do creative things like me. 
 

Almond Cake

The weather sucks today. Stormy, rainy and sun didn't shine.Which means we can't go out with the kids to play outdoors and I need to give them activities that would not bore them. So, we baked almond cake. A simple Italian cake that I always love for an afternoon teatime with family. 

However, After wanting to post the pictures here of my delicious almond cake, I can't upload the pictures. Why blogger? Pictures will be posted later anyways.  

Here's the recipe though but you can try this other recipe too.

Almond Cake

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs
slivered almonds

Mix sugar, flour, butter, almond extract, and eggs on high for 3 minutes. Pour into greased pie pan. Sprinkle with slivered almonds. Bake at 180C for 25 minutes. -enjoy!

Enjoy!

Life in Pictures & recipes

1. Walking uphill to see the whole view of our small village.

2. Getting colder when the sun is about to set. So, i have to cover my whole head and a bit of my face. It was a wonderful walk anyway uphill.

3. I love this boy to death. This is one clear picture of him. It is hard to take picture of my little boy either he don't like it or just want to make fun when seeing that camera is eyeing on him.

4. They like to make silly poses.

5. I chopped his bangs. Obviously, I didn't cut it straight.

6. My first attempt to bake 'PAN DE COCO' one of my favorite pastry/bread in the Philippines with coconut flake filling. (recipe is at the bottom)

6. Chocolate Moist Cake i baked last weekend. (recipe at the bottom)

7. stir-fry vegetable with sauteed shrimp paste.

8. Trying to warm my feet for cold season is now here.

RECIPES:

PAN DE COCO ( COCO BREAD)

You need for the dough:
yeast (1 pack instant, i used 7g )
3 cups flour
3 tbsps. cooking oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup warm water

How to:
empty the packet of yeast in a cup of warm water, put 1 tsp. sugar. Set aside for 15mins. IN a separate bowl, prepare 3 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tbsps. cooking oil. Then mix the prepared yeast and knead the flour for 30-45 mins.

for the coconut flake filling:
1 pack sweetene coconut flakes (7 oz.)
5 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. water

* put sugar and water in a pot until caramelized. Add sweetened coconut flakes. Mix until sugar is evenly distributed. (if you want it sweeter just add sugar.)

After leaving the dough for 1 hour, you can divide it into 10 pcs. Put the filling and leave prepared dough for 30 mins. covered with cloth. Bake it in 350*F /180*C for 15 mins. 

Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE MOIST CAKE

You need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup dilluted milk

1 cup boiling water

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon iodized salt

2 pcs. eggs

 How to:

Mix all dry ingredients and make a well and add the rest of the ingredients. Beat b electric mixer fro 3-4 minutes. Pour in a lined round pan 9x1'' or 9x1.5''

Bake at 350*F for 25-30mins or until done. Toothpick comes out clean when tested.

For frosting/filling

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/3 cup cornstarch

1 cup white sugar

2 tbsps. butter

2 tsp. vanilla 

* mix all and strain. Cook in a double boiler or in slow fire and stirring constantly.

But in the picture i only use TOFFEE frosting / filling.

8 egg yolks

1 can condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. coffee powder

 how to:

-add eggs, milk, coffee powder and vanilla. beat on medium speed of electric mixer for 2 mins. 

-cook the filling until thick and spreading consistency is right.

-spread in filling in between cakes.

Enjoy!

* The chocolate moist cake was adapted from the blog of angelspice77-rai.blogspot.com

Spanish bread - (Filipino version)

Been craving for Spanish bread. This bread or pastry is very popular in our place - Cebu. I do not know why they call this one spanish bread. Maybe there's a spanish influence into this bread. Perhaps the filling made of brown sugar, bread crumbs and butter. It is a sweet bread. So good for coffee and tea time. 

Good thing tough that a friend shared the recipe to me. So i tried it out....

and


Voila!

success!

when rolled and ready for baking

 

after baking... yum yum!

sorry there are no step by step pictures..... at this time it's too tiring for me since I am sick and my little boy too, and the after baking picture didn't even do justice to the sweetness of the bread. Besides, my children can't wait too long to try it so just I just snap few pictures. 

Today, I will be baking another batch. I will post recipe soon. 

edited: 05-02-2012

watch the video below for the step by step procedure on how to make this bread....





Smacznego! (bon appetit)

Mwuah!

Christmas cake

 

This is the cake i made for Christmas day. It's not the usual cheesecake I've tasted.  Maybe not the usual taste of cheesecake everyone would like. Still brave enough to try this pretzel cheesecake recipe that I got from the site of MADE but the recipe came from raspberri cupcakes.

I'm not really a fan of cheesecake, hubby is. But the combination of salty and sweety taste of this cheesecake kicks me off.  Imagine? because of the salted pretzel as crust. I love pretzels especially when I am reading something or that when I am bored. I love to munch it all up. (*wink) So i gave it a try and succeeded!

Trying a new recipe for me is a challenge. Challenging task at the same time relaxes me. Just like crafting and sewing, releases the adrenalin rush in me. Are you like that when challenged?

So, that is something i made last Christmas.

I'd like to dedicate today's post as well to my dear husband who's celebrating his birthday today. Cheers! Kocham cię moj Polaku :-)

He deserves a separate post. Sooonnnn.......i will blog about the gift i made for him. 

Home-made Bread!

Proud to presnt to you all our home-made bread..... hubby's newfound hobby baking bread at home using his new toy - the bread machine!

inside is just so right

taken with a flash

weighs 750g

Love it! anyone?

My banana yogurt cupcake

You should taste this... 

my kids says " mom, i love it!" oh whew! melts my heart. 

I don't bake to impress but to, at least amused and entertain myself after a tiring day. 

Solast night, i've decided to bake banana yogurt cupcake since 3 bananas are already too ripe, and i am sure nobody would like to eat those anymore. So, banana yogurt cupcake is the best solution so as not to waste some pennies especially here in Poland price of banana is too high for me.

Would you like some?.....Here!

and here is my little boy enjoying it. 

Knowing he's a picky eater, I am so happy when he was able to eat like 3 cupcakes...or more. i lost count. >'' ''< 

Inside.........moist and fluffy. 

If you want to try this out, here is the recipe.

_______________________________________________

   

BANANA YOGURT CUPCAKE

For the dry ingredients, you need:

1 cup nuts or raisins (optional)

1 3/4 cups flour

3/4 cup ( 150gms) sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

 * mix all of these ingredients in a large bowl and then set aside

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 large super ripe bananas

1 cup natural yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

* mix all of those wet ingredients very well using a whipper. after combine dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and mix until creamy and no lumps at all.

* scoop it and pour in the designated cupcake moulder with cupcake paper of course. 

* bake in 180 degrees celcius. and of course preheat oven for 10 mins or while mixing all the ingredients. 

*bake it for about 20-30minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy! As we say it in Polish, Smacznego! ( enjoy your meal)

My first oh so yummy butterscotch fudge bars

If you don't know my other passion in life is cooking. I am still dreaming to be a chef. For now I am a private chef of my own family. If given a chance, i would really like to enroll in a professional culinary school (my long time wish).

Let me share with you my first try in baking here in Poland. I am a novice baker. So i always has that curiosiy and enthusiasm to try it out no matter what (crossing fingers all the time). Oh well, it was not a disaster as what i'm afraid how it would be. I tried this butterscotch fudge bar thing. I truly forgot where I got this recipe so I can't give some links. Since it's weekend family and bonding time, this would be a nice treat to everyone. So, I'm sharing it to all of you.


BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE BAR

Ingredients:

For Butterscotch batter

1 cup ap flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup butter
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup shredded coconut (optional, but highly recommended)


For Brownie batter

1/3 cup ap flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp corn syrup (dark or light)



Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F.

Spray a 9-inch square pan. Line with aluminum foil, then spray the foil.

Make the butterscotch batter:
Sift the first three ingredients and set aside.

In a medium bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla extract and the coconut, if using. Set aside.

Make the brownie batter:
Sift the first four ingredients and set aside.

In a medium bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the white sugar. Add the egg, and then stir in the vanilla extract and the corn syrup. Set aside.

Assembly
Stir in the flour mixture into the butterscotch batter. Then stir in the flour mixture into the brownie batter. Pour the butterscotch batter into the prepared pan. Place scoops of the brownie batter on top of the butterscotch batter. Swirl as desired.
Place pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out wet, but the surface is firm. Do not overbake.

Voila! here's my butterscotch fudge bars. Not a disaster isn't it?