Straw-nana Bread

OH MY GOSH...If I had smell-o-vision I would totally share the amazing aroma filling my house right now!  It's a mix between banana bread and french toast (along with my morning coffee!).  I'm making Strawberry banana bread, which I decided to call Straw-nana bread...I'm feeling rather inventive today.   I can just tell its going to be a pretty fabolous day.  Considering I'm off today and actually get to see my boyfriend for a little before he has to go into work all day/night. :(

Anyways, this recipe only uses one bowl (yay less dishes!!) and it's super easy!



Straw-nana Bread (Adapted from Lets Dish)
(serves 10)

3/4 c. Whole Wheat flour
3/4 c. AP flour

1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 medium bananas mashed
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. diced strawberries, reserve some for topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F, and lightly grease loaf pan, set aside.

In a large bowl combine flours, sugars, baking soda and cinnamon.

Add bananas and stir.

Add applesauce, egg and vanilla.  Stir until "just" combined. (you don't want to over stir!)

Fold in strawberries.

Pour batter into loaf pan, top with sliced strawberries.

Bake for 30-40 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

 

 

 

Seriously, it was so simple that I woke up and made it this morning...and its extremely moist!  That's my favorite kind!

 

I'm really not sure why I've been on this bread kick lately...maybe because I have more confidence that my banana bread turned out?   Perhaps the fact that I keep buying fresh fruit and not eating it fast enough?  who knows.

 

By the way my boyfriends daughter accidently told me what my valentines day gift is... and its not a kitchenaid mixer or a new oven.  darn. I actually got into a small not so major argument with my boyfriend over that fact that he won't get me anything I ask for.  His reason being, they're household appliances and it's not right to get someone appliances for holidays, even if I beg for them.  Guess I'm going to start saving up some money then huh?

Homemade Ham Pot Pie with homemade noodles

Alright guys, I've had this huge craving for chicken n' dumplins from Cracker Barrel, like my most favorite resturant, but...times are tough.  So I thought of the next best, closest thing, ham pot pie, with home made noodles. Plus I STILL can't use the oven :(  Not to mention it's helping me get in the holiday mood!  I just found out that trick-or-treat is next Thursday for our new town, yaaaaaay! Now we just need to stock up on candy and lots of it!

Homemade Ham Pot Pie
1 5lb. ham hock (fully cooked and cut into pieces.)
2 qt. any flavored broth (we used the broth from our ham when we cooked it.)
4-5 small potatoes cubed
2 c. frozen peas and carrots
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/4 c.all purpose flour
2 tsp. parsley

Homemade Noodles
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 tbsp. cold water 

It's actually a very simple easy recipe, not too many ingredients.  Just simple and to the point, perfect for me who is cooking challenged.  

Start out either cooking your ham on the stove in a large pot with about 2-3 quarts of water, or how ever much you need to cover it about 3/4 of the way.  After your ham is done, ours took about 2 1/2 hours, remove it from the broth (DO NOT POUR OUT THE BROTH!!!!) and cut it up into small pieces, return to the broth.  Add potatoes, onions, and celery, let them cook on medium heat. When potatoes become soft (able to put a fork through) add your frozen peas and carrots along with flour and parsley.  Now time to make the noodles. Combine flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl.  In a separate bowl beat together eggs and water.  Slowly add flour mixture to egg mixture. Stir dough until it forms a ball (add small amount of water if necessary), dough should be stiff.  Cover surface with flour along with your rolling pin.  Roll out dough approx. 1 in. thick.  Cut into 2 in. squares, makes about 24 squares.  Slowly add noodles to pot pie, add them one at a time, if not they will stick together. After all your noodles have been added, let it simmer on low for about 1 1/2 hours, or until ready to be served.