Banana Nut Bread

Last week I was making breakfast breads for a bachelorette party I was attending. The thought of SUN and warm weather took over me in what I was going to prepare. Banana Nut Bread, but I did not want it to be traditional. Because I was going someplace warm it made me think about adding coconut and chopped up chocolate cover macadamia nuts and no I did not go to Hawaii.

1 ½ Sticks of Butter

2 Tablespoons of Sour Cream

2 Eggs

½ Cup Raw Sugar

1 teaspoon of Vanilla

2 Teaspoons of Lemon Zest

3 Very Ripe Bananas chopped

1 Cup of Shredded Coconut

1 ½ Cup of Flour

1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

½ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1 Cup of Chopped Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts

Preheat 350

Grease and Floured a 10×4.5 loaf pan

With an electric mixer beat together the Sugar, Butter, and Sour Cream followed by one Egg at a time. When well combined add the Vanilla, Lemon Zest, Bananas, and Coconut. Mix in Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder and once well combined finally stir in the Macadamia Nuts. Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until wooden spoon comes out clean.

Posted by Patty in Breakfast, Fruit, Recipes, Sweets. 1 Comment »

Fried Broccoli

It is clear that I enjoy being in the kitchen and cooking for others, but definitely one of my other favorite past times is when someone else cooks for me. I think it is always a thoughtful gesture and a time to learn from others and how they do things in the kitchen. Recently, a friend of mine had me over to dinner to have one of my favorite meals- pork chops, potatoes, apple sauce and green vegetable, broccoli for this dinner. This meal was actual a staple in my home growing up. Now, I have never thought much about cooking broccoli, I usually have it steamed or stir fried in Asian cuisine.
Well my friend cooked his broccoli in olive oil and garlic. And told me this is how he cooks all his vegetables. I at first was taken back, because this was out of the norm from how I prepared my broccoli. In the end I loved it this way.

1 head of Broccoli
3 Cloves of Garlic (Sliced thinly)
¼ Cup of Olive Oil
In a frying pan pour olive oil and make sure base of the pan is completely covered and add garlic and Broccoli. Cook on medium heat and stir the broccoli around to make sure heat is distributed evenly. It will turn a bright green and ready to serve.

Posted by Patty in Recipes, Sides, Uncategorized. No comments »