Waste Not, Want Not

In today's trying economy, it is so hard to make ends meet. Many people live from one paycheck to the next.

Like everyone else, I try to not waste any food. At the same time, I like to make tasty and healthy food for my family. Sometimes it's hard to not waste food that may be a little old, but not unsafe to eat.

For instance, when I buy bananas, no one ever seems to eat the last two, for some reason. They get brown and soft and very unappetizing. So they sit and sit on the counter sometimes for days. At one time I use to just throw them out. Not so anymore.


No longer do I throw out those last couple of stubborn, browning bananas

Banana bread is a great way to use bananas that no one wants to eat. You know the old saying: Waste not, want not. This is one way to put that into practice.

This recipe calls for nuts, but I've made it without them and it works out fine. No one in my family, thankfully, has a peanut allergy, but if someone in your family does just omit the nuts.



BANANA NUT BREAD

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

350 degree oven

Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

In a mixer bowl beat sugar and shortening with electric mixer till light, scraping sides of bowl often. Add eggs, one at a time, and the milk, beating till smooth after each addition. Add flour mixture and banana alternately to creamed mixture, beating till smooth after each addition. Fold in nuts (optional).

Turn batter into a lightly greased and floured 8x4x2-inch loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 60 to 65 minutes or till a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool. For easier slicing, wrap and store overnight. Makes 1 loaf.

My family loves this bread. It's also a great after-school snack that won't make your kids too full, but will keep them going until dinner.

I give this to my daughter with a glass of milk and she is satisfied until dinner. It's better than cookies and all the ingredients come straight from your pantry. No preservatives or ingredients that you can't pronounce.

This is delicious and you're not wasting food and at the same time giving your family a healthy snack.

Try it and see if you don't agree.

Have a wonderful day!!!!