Coconut Banana Loaf

This was my first time making a loaf or bread really of any kind on my own. I know, expert much? But in any case I no longer feel the fear of tackling a loaf, it seriously isn’t much different than making muffins, and those are easy enough to whip up. This recipe caught my eye because of the coconut, I’d never had banana bread with coconut in it before, so I thought i’d give it a go. 



Ingredients:


3 large ripe bananas
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used a 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup brown sugar (I used 1/4 cup)
3 eggs (or 2 eggs and 3 tbsp of liquid egg whites)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or apple sauce)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp wheat germ (doubled this)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1/2 salt
1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut, plus more for sprinkling.


Directions


Preheat oven 350 degrees.
Mix bananas and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, and mix well. Mix in oil, vanilla and cinnamon.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine wet and dry together slowly. Do not over mix!!!
Add coconut last, and then pour into a well greased pan, then sprinkle the top with coconut.
Makes one large loaf or two small ones.
Bake for 40-50 minutes.

Verdict?It’s delicious, I used apple sauce instead of vegetable oil, and used 2 eggs and some egg whites to reduce fat especially saturated fat which comes from animal fat. I also subtracted a sustainable amount of sugar my recent stint at the dentist proved to be a bit more shameful than expected. I also double the wheat germ, wheat germ is a great way to add fibre; I use it in smoothies all the time. Fibre is so crucial for our diets, we need to make sure things are moving, and moving fast. You don’t want added toxins in your body longer than necessary, and fibre helps to push those unnecessary toxins out so they aren’t lingering and causing havoc. Fibre also helps to keep you fuller longer, so it is a double win. As adults we should be getting at least 25 grams of fibre a day.  Now don’t go all out on your first day thinking today’s the day you bring fibre into your diet because you’ll actually bring production to a grinding hault. Seriously start small, and try adding a little bit every day, and eventually you can work your way up to 25 grams a day. When adding fibre remember to also drink plenty of water.Okay enough on the health lessons. I made this loaf, and then persisted to make some apple cinnamon raisin cookies found here: http://shortpresents.blogspot.com/2011/10/apple-raisin-cinnamon-cookies.html#more, and then I got started on dinner. I was like a cooking queen. Sunday afternoons are divine aren’t they? I love having the open window of nothing to do, and then filling it with some shopping downtown or if it’s raining with baking or cooking indoors.