Daylight Come and Me Wan Go Home!

Can you tell I've been in a cooking mood lately? We've been trying to use up everything that is in our fridge, freezer, and cupboards lately to get them ready for spring. I know we have a long ways to go until spring, but it's good to get started now and take our time.

I've used this recipe since as long as I can remember. I don't know who gave it to us (I think it was one of my aunts), and I'm not sure where they got it, but I have no problem saying that this is the best banana bread recipe you will find. Hands down. So you need to try it.

Every time we buy bananas, if we don't eat them fast enough and the bananas start to get overripe to the point where we don't like to eat them, we stick them in the freezer (peel and all). So, not only is this the best banana bread recipe you'll ever try, it also prevents food from being wasted, which you likely know is kind of a big deal.

It is a weird recipe, but trust me, it is amazing! Oh, and did I mention it is dairy free? Just make sure you buy a dairy free mayonnaise (which is why I buy Miracle Whip or the non name similar ones). Here it is:

3 large overripe bananas
1 cup miracle whip
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
optional: walnuts, chocolate chips, other fruit (like strawberries, blueberries, etc.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas
3. Add all other ingredients (except optional ones) and thoroughly mix to combine
4. Stir in optional ingredients
5. Line a non-stick loaf in with parchment paper and pour in your mixture

Trevor wanted strawberries in his bread.

I wanted walnut pieces.

 6. Bake for 50-60 minutes

All done!

 7. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before enjoying

"I'm delicious!"

It might feel a little underdone, even if you cook it for the whole sixty minutes, but that is okay. You do NOT want the crust to burn on this baby, even a little. So if it is underdone, that's fine, it is still tasty.

Perfect as a late night snack or as breakfast in the morning. And even though it is dairy free, most people I know eat it warmed up in the microwave and slathered in butter.

I hope you enjoy!

{Six foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH}

Happy VD!

Yes, I know what the title could also imply. Sometimes I find humour in immaturity.

Just a quick one to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day with the best valentines I have seen out there today!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!Now get back to your significant other and off the computer!

{Love}

Nobody's Gonna Lay a Finger on My Butterfinger

I love granola. It is sweet and salty and crunchy and delicious. Fo' reals. And it works as breakfast, as a snack, and as dessert. And it is great on a hike! Awesomesauce all around.

About a year ago I really got into granola, but I was buying the store-bought kind. It was good, but expensive. A friend from work asked me why I didn't just make it. I wasn't really sure. I'm usually keen on trying new things, but I wasn't sure that I would be able to make a delicious granola. At his insistence, I decided to give it a try. It turned out great!

But I wasn't done. It doesn't take long to realize how much you can experiment when making granola. This recipe is born out of one of those experiments. And a love of peanut butter.

Full disclosure: This is granola, yes, but do not be fooled. Granola packs a lot of energy, which means it is great for taking on a hike, but it is also great for traveling to the buttockular region, if you know what I mean. It is delicious, has some healthy elements to it, and it is definitely better than eating a lot of other foodstuffs. However, I wouldn't classify this as a "health food". Highly addictive, use at your own risk!

2 cups of quick cooking oats (I use gluten free from Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all natural peanut butter

1/4 cup canola oil (plus more depending on consistency)

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons of milled flax seeds

1 hefty pinch of unprocessed sea salt (or more if you are a salt fiend like me)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

1. Mix the oats, sunflower seeds, sugar, flax seeds, and salt in a large bowl.

2. Add the honey and peanut butter and mix thoroughly (the peanut butter has a tendency to clump, so either use a mixer or get your hands in there)

3. Add the oil and mix again.

4. At this point, you need to look at your mixture: Are all of the oats coated? If not, add more oil until they are all coated.

5. Spread the oat mixture all over a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool for at least 15 before noshing!

Please note that this granola does not get very "crispy" like traditional granola does. But it will be crunchy. My favourite way to eat this so far is sprinkled over top of our homemade applesauce for breakfast! De-frickin-lish!

You could also try adding some chocolate chips to the mix once it is out of the oven if you'd really like it to taste like a butterfinger chocolate bar! Or some peanuts to make it super peanut-y. It's all up to you really. But I do hope you enjoy it as much as we do here!

Enjoy!

{There's money in that banana stand}