BANANA BASH Have you ever wondered what to do with those bruised and banished bananas?
I say, look beyond the blemishes and discover their disguised dividend.
We all have a few blemishes we'd prefer to keep hidden, covered up or removed, but for all things there is a time and a season.....even for the most minute morsel.
Ingredients Needed:
2 big red delicious apples, peeled and sliced
4 tbsp real butter (no substitutes....trust me)
2 tbsp honey
melt butter in small sauce pan, once melted, add honey and let it reach a small simmer
add sliced apples and cook on low until apples are no longer crispy to a fork's poke
smash with potatoe smasher and combine until smooth
stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp brown sugar
and cinamon at your discretion
I know what you're thinking.....I thought this was about banana's and this seems like a bunch of work. Why not just use applesauce?! These are valid observations. If you are pressed for time, as most of us are, then applesauce (with cinamon already in it) would be a fine substitute, but there is no substitute for the scrumptious aroma of blissfully blending flavors brewing. Deep inhale....ahhhhhh! Tastebud teasing begins! :)
Ok, now that you've procured the core of your mixture, you may begin to compliment the mix by introducing new fun flavors. Calling all bananas, cranberries and walnuts....oh my!
Now this is where the poor girls pantry reveals its hidden treasures. From the pantry I produced 2 browning bananas clinging limply to life, 1 and 1/2 packs of Ocean Spray instant oatmeal with cranberries and some leftover dried cranberries and chopped walnuts from a really great salad mix. A quick glance in the refrigerator revealed a short supply of milk, which happens frequently with a growing boy around, so some creative spark created a quick component of compromise.....yogurt! Greek yogurt, at that, which will add an even healthier element to the muffin mix with it's generous amount of protien.
So, remaining ingredients, are as follows......
1 egg
(borrowed from a generous and patient neighbor who humors my nocturnal nature and peculiar pantry ponderings ....thank you!)
1 cup flour (more or less as needed)
1 tsp baking powder
Commence banana bashing, mix in egg or egg beaters if you prefer and yogurt. Mix well until combined, but stop before it gets too mushy....that's overkill ....bananas behave better with benevolent blending. :) Next, sprinkle in the flour, oatmeal and baking powder, blend well. Cranberries and walnuts require mildly managed mingling. Mix is ready to be scooped into the muffin pan which should already be buttered and properly positioned at the ready. If not, get on it....time's a wastin! Preparing the pans and pre-heating the oven are pretty much a given in any baking recipe so no blaming me on this one! ;)
Ok, last but not least, the tantilizing topping!
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter
remaining walnuts
secret ingredient: crumbs from the bottom on the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
No kidding here.....pour into a small baggie (make sure baggie closure is secure.....just a head's up to assist in fending off a frustrating moment) and roll with rolling pin until properly pressed. Stir into above mix until crumbly and then add to top of muffins.
Place lovingly in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes
Marvel at the magnificant melding of mouthwatering muffins! Enjoy! ;)
