Jackie's banana bread

The simple act of making a sweet treat can be therapeutic and brings smiles to the table. It can also provide a sense of belonging. I feel great calm when making ice cream or other sweet treats, and I think it’s because I like seeing different ingredients blend together, becoming one. I love seeing everything in one big pot, living harmoniously with one another.

Today, I’m turning inward and thinking about the things that have shaped me, and us, through the years: financial burden, resilience, trauma, community, depression, hopefulness, isolation, uncertainty and love. There are so many ways to understand and support one another.

Last night, I made my favorite banana bread with a recipe that I’ve cherished for years. It’s a family recipe that Jackie (my mother-in-law) left behind. She passed away before I had the chance to meet her, and it’s been through my husband’s foods and her recipes that I have gotten to know the amazing woman she was. In joyous celebration, I hope her banana bread flavors your day and creates a sweet moment.

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cup AP flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of nutmeg

1 large egg

1 cup mashed ripe bananas

1 tsp lemon zest

1/2 cup whole milk

3 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup butter

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan that is at least 3 inches tall.

1. In small bowl, mash bananas with vanilla extract and nutmeg and fold in lemon zest and milk. Set aside.

2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl and set aside.

3. In larger bowl, beat sugar, softened room temperature butter and egg until smooth and lightly aerated. Then fold in banana mixture.

4. Slowly fold in mixed dry ingredients until fully incorporated.

5. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until light pumpkin color, and firm on top.

A fun dessert pairing

Warm up a slice of banana bread in a bowl, add a couple scoops of Noona’s Black Sesame (dairy or vegan) and top off with a dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with whatever you’d like — when we have extra bananas, we like to caramelize them for another layer of deliciousness!