Feel Good Foodies: Healthy Banana Bread (oats/no oil/hemp seeds, oh my!)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Healthy Banana Bread (oats/no oil/hemp seeds, oh my!)

I'm still feeling incredibly lucky that Ev and I remained with power, heat and fresh water throughout hurricane Sandy's wrath here in Astoria, just a hop, skip and a jump from the devastation brought upon so, so many. Our hearts go out to those who were much more seriously effected.

That being said - without mass transit to my office, which is downtown and remains without power, I've been cooking up a storm while working from home with having much more free time than I'm used to - and this girl just can't sit still for too long!

Both the hubby and I are currently on quite a health kick (or improved lifestyle, we'll see!) after watching more than a few well-known food & health documentaries (e.g. Food INC. and Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead are favs). Since we've been cooped up in the apartment, we're trying to maintain this healthy lifestyle with good-for-you eats, which is why I'd like to share with you what I'd like to call:

Hurricane Bread

1-1/4 cups flour

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more!)

3 large ripe bananas

1/4 cup apple sauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg & 1 egg white

Dark chocolate chips, optional

Hemp seeds, optional (superfood!)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease & flour loaf pan (I didn't have one, so I used my 9x9) and set aside. In large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.

In a smaller bowl, mash bananas and add brown sugar, vanilla, egg and apple sauce.

Add dry ingredients to the wet and mix well. Batter will be fairly thick.

Combine chocolate chips, pour batter into pan and bake until top of loaf is firm to touch, 45min.

Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5-10min. Slice & enjoy!

Below are some photos from my process - I found this ad hoc recipe to be delicious and healthy-tasting (which I like) - with the perfect hint of chocolatey sweetness. I topped mine with either a small pat of butter or local cinnamon fig jam (yum!). Pairs decadently with coffee in the morning or just nosh as an afternoon snack.