Livestrong with Banana Bread!

As I surveyed my kitchen after a whirlwind visit from my family, I really wanted to bring something nice to bookclub. We'd just finished 'A homemade life' by Mollie Wizenburg and planned to each bring a dish from it. I realised I had 3 very ripe bananas just waiting to be used in some banana bread.

This also seemed to be a perfect opportunity to work with something yellow for Livestrong Note the cat wandering through my shot!!

This is in honor of many people, especially Jen and Barbara, who is hosting the livestrong taste of yellow.

Cancer is a horrible thing, I like the way livestrong is positive and strong about fighting cancer and moving on with life.

I hope this would be good for someone who is struggling with cancer. It might be a little rich, but the ginger in it may settle the stomach and the bread is very comforting in smell, texture and taste, so definitely good to have around. I like to cut into slices and have a piece ready in a baggie in the freezer ready to pop in the microwave whenever I'm peckish.

There were varying reports on whether the ginger was good or bad, I did use the lovely stuff from King Arthur Flour, so it was probably stronger than other stuff. I used the big choc chips from giradelli, so I thought it paired very nicely. If you're not a fan then it could easily be left out, maybe try walnuts in addition or instead.

This banana bread has similar proportions to my regular low fat banana bread, although I'm definitely a fan of the technique of melting the butter, since one can quickly make this with just a couple of bowls, a whisk and a spoon in a matter of minutes.

We also enjoyed some super delicious butternut soup, I'm not always a fan but the pear and vanilla really cut through the creaminess. There were roasted cauliflowers and the super indulgent corn bread. Everything from the book seems immensely comforting, although not necessarily super rich. We're all looking forward to trying more recipes from it.

Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger from A Homemade Life

makes 1 loaf

6 tablespoons (3 oz) unsalted butter, melted

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (around 3)

1/4 cup plain yoghurt

1 tsp vanilla extract

preheat the oven to 350f and grease a 9 x 5 in loaf pan

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
Whisk together the butter, eggs, banana, yoghurt and vanilla.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients with the minimum of stirring, then add the ginger and chocolate, turning a couple of times to mix.

Bake for around 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.