Betty's Breakfast Banana Bread

Warm sunshine filled my kitchen windows this morning. We are finally out of that incredible cold spell each morning! No more frost on the lawn. No more freezing digits. Sun is finally shining...  I spotted (3) over ripe bananas in the fruit basket. Time for Banana Bread! This recipe came from a dear friend's grandmother. Her Nonni also shared with us her Biscotti recipe, too! (more on that later...) Try this recipe in your camp dutch oven. Here comes the campers for breakfast!



Betty's Breakfast Banana Bread

1 bowl (or 2 bowls if you prefer keeping the wet & dry ingredients separate until the end)
3 ripe bananas (crushed)
3 eggs
2 cups of flour
1 cup of brown sugar (packed)
1/8 cup of white sugar (omit if you don't want the edges to be crispy crunchy)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup walnuts (if whole, break them up)

Carefully stir with a large spoon until mixed. Butter the bread pan and place a strip of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan. Pour dough into the bread pan. Tap the bread pan against the counter and watch the bubbles rise to the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Notes: great for breakfast w/ a smear of butter; makes great toast, too!

Thanks to Nonni & Deb for providing this very best recipe!
Much thanks to simplyrecipes.com for their photo!

Nutella! | The Good Stuff

I would say 99.9999% of all mankind love Nutella. Yes, it is one of those concoctions that someone created that has an almost cult-like following. You can spread Nutella on anything and make it a dessert.

Hazelnut, cocoa and skim milk mixed together and preserved in a jar is a delightful addition to anyone's pantry. You can buy it at most grocery stores in USA. I first came upon Nutella in my Italian neighborhood where it is legendary. (Two recipes below)

1) Waffles and Nutella

2 waffles (homemade or store bought)
Nutella spread (as much as you can stand)
1 heaping Tblsp of muesli (mix of rolled oats, dried fruit, nuts)
maple syrup to drizzle

Toast waffles. Spread generous amount of nutella over waffles. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of muesli over each waffle. Drizzle maple syrup over all. Serve immediately. Be prepared to go to heaven.

2) Peanut Butter & Nutella Sandwich

2 slices of whole wheat bread (oat nut, multi-grain)
Nutella spread (be generous)
Peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
Strawberry or raspberry jam (use jam instead of jelly)
1 banana
1 Tblsp of dried cranberries and/or dried cherries

Smear one slice of whole wheat bread with Nutella. Smear the other slice with peanut butter. Slice banana neatly in rows on peanut butter. Smear jam over on Nutella side. Sprinkle with dried fruit. Close sliced bread together forming a sandwich. Slice into quarters. Eat and dream of the good life.

Option: Both recipes above can be calorized into sky high numbers with the addition of chocolate chips and/or cream cheese! Be prepared to go on a diet for a week.