Banana Bread

What could be easier than making banana bread in the bread machine? The most difficult part of this delicious recipe is waiting for the bread to be done. 

 Banana Bread

1/2 cup milk (between 77-85 degrees F)
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
2 1/4 cups bread flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup chopped nuts (opt.)

1. Measure ingredients including nuts into baking pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Insert pan into the machine. Select "Quick" or "Cake" cycle.

2. Halfway through mixing time, using a rubber spatula, scrape down sides of baking pan and the kneading blade.

3. When signal sounds indicating the end of the baking cycle, test for doneness with a wooden skewer. If ready, remove baking pan from bread machine. If not, keep in bread machine on "Keep Warm Cycle" for 10-30 minutes or on "Bake Cycle" until baked.

4. Set baking pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Turn bread out onto a serving plate and set aside to cool completely.

*For a moist texture, cool overnight before slicing.

*Some bread machines may require up to 50 minutes on the "Keep Warm Cycle" before the quick bread is baked. For specifications on the length of this cycle, and for information on how to use it, check the user's manual for your bread machine.

Click here for printable format 

*Recipe from Washburn, Donna and Heather Butt.  300 Best Bread Machine Recipes. Toronto, Ontario: Robert Rose, Inc., 2010:  p. 403 

Senate Bean Soup

Navy beans, ham, celery, and butter make Senate Bean Soup rich and delicious. 

Senate Bean Soup

Christy Jordan of Southern Plate has many mouth-watering, simple recipes.  The recipe for Senate Bean Soup can be found on Christy's website:  http://www.southernplate.com/2010/01/shortcut-senate-bean-soup-and-mary-poppins-visits-bountiful.html

Notes:

*I use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cooked, diced ham.  If I don't have leftover ham in the freezer, I use Farmland Smoked Spiral Ham Slices and Pieces.  I cut off any fat or rind and then dice enough to make 1 1/2 to 2 cups.   The remaining ham can be frozen for the next batch of soup. 

*Use 4 (15.5 oz.) cans navy beans

*Cornbread is a good side with this soup, and I have an easy, delicious recipe for it!

Cornbread:  http://easyaspiecanbe.blogspot.com/2014/02/cornbread.html  

Click here to print! 

From Wikipedia:  "Senate bean soup is a soup made with navy beans, ham hocks, and onion. It is served in the dining room of the United States Senate every day, in a tradition that dates to the early 20th century. The original version included celery, garlic, parsley, and mashed potatoes as well."

Cooking Tip:  For years, I wasted leftover celery, because I didn't know how to store it properly.  I finally stumbled across this technique that will keep celery crisp and fresh for up to 4 weeks!   Wash and dry the celery, trim the edges with a sharp knife, and store it wrapped in a paper towel inside a zippered storage bag in the refrigerator.

 

French Chocolates

Impress your loved ones with French Chocolates for Valentine's Day.  Easily made in the microwave, these chocolates rival high-end chocolates you can buy at a fraction of the cost. ♥

French Chocolates

1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup ground pecans or walnuts

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Coating:  coconut, chopped nuts, and/or powdered sugar  

Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl.  Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) until melted, 2-4 minutes*, stirring twice.  Stir in the ground pecans or walnuts, condensed milk, vanilla, and salt.  Cool 5 minutes.  Shape into 1-inch balls.  Dip into desired coating(s).  Place on a greased baking sheet and refrigerate until set.  Store covered at room temperature.

* I have a new microwave (1000 watts), and it takes 3 minutes.

Click here for printable format 

These chocolates can be made in advance and frozen until needed.  

Grinding Nuts 101:  To finely grind the pecans or walnuts used in this recipe, measure 1 1/2 cups of the nuts into your food processor.  Depending on how finely your food processor grinds the nuts, you may need more or less:

 

Pulse for 1-2 seconds at a time checking the texture of the nuts after each pulse.  Pulsing in very brief bursts allows the nuts to fall back down into the container providing for even grinding.  This is the texture you want your nuts to be:

Presentation Idea:  Wal-Mart carries mini baking cups in the Valentine's Day decorations aisle that are perfect for holding these chocolates: