Seriously Simple: A taste memory that stands up to time
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large, very ripe bananas
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1. Grease and flour a 9-by-5-inch nonstick loaf pan.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl. Reserve.
3. Puree the bananas in a food processor.
4. Add the sugar, oil and eggs to the mashed bananas and process for about 3 minutes or until light yellow and airy.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture and process until well incorporated.
6. Add the vanilla and walnuts, and pulse a few times until incorporated. Transfer to the prepared pan.
7. Bake at 350 F in the oven for 55 minutes to one hour or until a pick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for an hour. Invert onto a platter, slice and serve.
(Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including "Seriously Simple Parties," and a James Beard Award-winning radio show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.)
