Homemade Banana Bread...No Nuts!!

I've been wanting some really moist banana bread for sooo long! Some of the recipes out there for it are all over the place...and come out so dry, bleh!

This is my mom's Marvelous Banana Cake recipe, adjusted and baked in a loaf pan. I asked her would it work and would she mind me posting it here...she was excited! I'm saving her some! Here's the recipe...

Ingredients

2 cups bananas mashed

1 cup butter softened

3 cups sugar

4 eggs beaten

1 cup buttermilk

4 cups flour sifted

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp butter flavored extract

1 cup chopped pecans

2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

In a mixer, cream butter & sugar. Add bananas, stir in eggs, then other ingredients. Pour into 2 greased & floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

For my banana bread, I left out the pecans & the butter flavored extract. I also cut all the ingredient sizes in half so that this would make only one loaf. I also adjusted the baking time to about 50 minutes, since I baked in a loaf pan. This is my mom's exact recipe& it makes a huge 3 layer banana cake! There's only me, don't need that much banana bread. If you want to actually make the cake, it also comes with a scratch made icing too! (see bottom of post for icing recipe).

I think it's the 4 eggs and the buttermilk that make this cake/bread so moist. And believe it or not, it's not very sweet, which is perfect! I will be doing this many many times! I've also sliced some really thick slices to save for making banana bread french toast! woohoo!!

Thanks for reading!!

Banana Nut Frosting

1/2 cup bananas mashed

1 tsp lemon juice

1/3 cup butter softened

1 box powdered sugar (16 oz)

3 tbsp milk

1 cup flaked coconut

2/3 cups chopped pecans

5 drops yellow food coloring 

Quilted Nails

I never knew this technique existed until now! It is amazing!!

This idea originated on the beautiful nails of The Polishaholic and was inspired by a cellphone case. She added bling to each crossroad for detail. I decided that since I wear gloves all day at work, the bling would be a bit much for everyday wear. 

I used Wet n Wild "I Need A Refresh-Mint" and I did not use a topcoat for fear that the "quilting" may disappear. Here is a quick photo of how I used nail striping tape to achieve the effect...

Check out the original tutorial here. Hope you guys try these...let me know if you do!!

Thanks for reading!!

Portabella Mushroom Fajitas

I love mushrooms, especially Portabella Mushrooms! They're so hearty & filling. I had 2 in the fridge, but my mom still has my grill, so what do I do? Why not fajitas? I scoured the kitchen to find ingredients (didn't wanna go to grocery store). Here's what I came up with...

Ingredients

2 Portabella Mushrooms caps

1 yellow bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

1 orange bell pepper

1 small onion

garlic cloves 

tortillas

salsa

2 avocados

olive oil

Accent for seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Remove mushroom stems. Mine were already removed. Slice mushrooms to desired thickness. Slice bell peppers, onion & garlic.

In a saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium to high heat. Add onions & peppers. I decided to use red onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring frequently. Add garlic, then mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

In a separate bowl, slice & mash avocados & stir in your desired amount of salsa. I decided to use Pace Garlic & Lime Verde & Siracha hot sauce. Yummy!

Warm tortillas in microwave for about 20 seconds. Spread avocado mixture over each tortilla, then top with veggie/mushroom mixture. This recipe makes about 4 fajitas...

Don't the mushrooms look just like steak?! I am proud to say that this was a very healthy and tasty lunch/dinner. And I didn't even use salt or cheese, and I loooove cheese! Go me!! Enjoy..

Thanks for reading!!