Doug's stupid ex-wife cooks bananas

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x86053

Oh my.

EFerrari  (1000+ posts)        Thu Mar-03-11 03:15 PM
DOUG'S STUPID EX-WIFE, #03 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010 and 2009 and 2008
Original message

I learned a little trick for banana bread that adds a lot of flavor.

When you make your favorite recipe, before you add the ripe bananas, put them in the microwave for five minutes on high and covered with vented plastic wrap. I use five in mine.

This causes them to discharge liquid.

Then, drain the liquid into a saucepan (about 1/2 - 3/4 c of liquid) and reduce it to 1/4 c on the stove. Add that back into the bananas and proceed with your recipe.

This little extra step really boosts the flavor of the loaf without adding sogginess.

The America's Test Kitchen recipe I tried also calls for shingling the last banana on the two long sides of the loaf and sprinkling 2t of sugar over the top which caramelizes the bananas without affecting the rise. A very pretty effect.

Tesha  (1000+ posts)      Thu Mar-03-11 08:01 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. Excellent tips...
 
My grandmother taught me to mash the really, really ripe bananas and stir in some whiskey before you start anything else.

Nice...

oh and top with demerara sugar crystals - these are great on muffins too.

EFerrari  (1000+ posts)        Thu Mar-03-11 10:15 PM
DOUG'S STUPID EX-WIFE, #03 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010 and 2009 and 2008
Response to Reply #3
 
6. Somehow, my family never has whiskey left over for baking.

franksolich deleted the "LOL" at the end, assuming everybody knows it's there anyway.

[NHSparky]

MICROWAVING bananas?

There's a whole lotta stoopid in that statement right there.

[Karin]

Sounds like a whole lotta bother, too.  Banana bread is the easiest thing in the world to make.  They have to make it complicated, and dirty up 100 more dishes to boot. 

[franksolich]

Sounds like a whole lotta bother, too.  Banana bread is the easiest thing in the world to make.  They have to make it complicated, and dirty up 100 more dishes to boot. 

I myself buy discounted bananas, peel them, and freeze them.

And then when I need potassium, I take a couple and blend them in with orange juice.

The blender here gets more of a workout than the stove, and better yet, the blender runs on electricity, not natural gas, so it's safer.

I know, I know; I'm odd.

[NHSparky]

Sounds like a whole lotta bother, too.  Banana bread is the easiest thing in the world to make.  They have to make it complicated, and dirty up 100 more dishes to boot. 

I'm no chef but I know it doesn't take 5 freakin bananas for a loaf of banana bread.  Last time I made it, I need less than 3.

Some flour, sugar, an egg, vegetable oil, baking soda and powder, cinnamon, a touch of salt, and some chopped walnuts.

Viola.

[NHSparky]

I myself buy discounted bananas, peel them, and freeze them.

And then when I need potassium, I take a couple and blend them in with orange juice.

The blender here gets more of a workout than the stove, and better yet, the blender runs on electricity, not natural gas, so it's safer.

I know, I know; I'm odd.

Just for that, I'm getting you a natural gas-powered blender.

Oh, and Scoobie will recognize this two-word delicacy: MONKEY BITES.