Banana Bread

I never used to be a fan of banana bread...until... I started adding chocolate chips to it.  Everything is better with chocolate!

Here is a recipe I use often

2cup flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 cup apple sauce (to replace 2 beaten eggs)
1/2 cup softened dairy butter or margarine --I interchange the terms butter and margarine all the time(fleishman's unsalted)
1 or 2 very ripe bananas mashed --I've made this both ways and each time it comes out delish!
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dairy free choc chips (optional) I always use "Enjoy Life"

Preheat oven 350
grease bread pan (I use baking Pam)
In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon

In a separate medium bowl cream together brown sugar and butter (if your butter is in the fridge right before you decide to make this like mine always is, soften in the microwave for a couple of seconds and don't tell Martha Stewart)
Add applesauce and bananas

Add wet ingredients to dry until just moistened and fold in chocolate chips
Pour into bread pan and bake for about an hour.

~ Pam

Ode to my crock pot

There she is... isn't she a beauty?!  We got her as a shower gift-- going on 11 years.  Her knob came off last year, but I think it adds character to her look.  I think I should name her -- since she and I have such a trusting relationship!  Any thoughts on what her name should be?

This past week I made at least 2 crock pot meals-- that I can remember, since the days are kind of a blur lately.

I know I made this first one because I took pictures to prove it!
Ever get those pre-marinaded pork loins?  YUM!  Usually I make them in the oven, but this week I decided to throw it in the crock pot instead.
Here is the one I bought...

I put it in the crock pot with about 1/4 cup of water.  I put my crock pot on "auto" (which is the same as a low setting on other crock pots) for about 6 hours.  Took it out and made some brown rice to go with it.  I'd like to say there was a delicious and healthy vegetable too, but my kids don't like most veggies and sometimes it's easier to not fight at the table.  ;-/    Anyway-- another easy dinner for mid-week craziness! 

The 2nd crock pot meal was chicken drumsticks with Lawyers Balsamic marinade.  I threw them in and let them cook on high for about 4.5 hours.  They were also coupled with brown rice.  :-)

See, the convenience of my crock pot (Shelby, for her name keeps popping in my head) has made me post 2 meals in 1 post!  :-)

Enjoy!

~ Pam

French Toast-- without the eggs :-)

Who doesn't love french toast?  I loooove french toast, and was really sad when I thought it would be impossible to make for my son--since one of the main ingredients is egg and he's allergic to egg.  I experimented a few times with using only soy milk.  I tried dipping the bread in just milk.  It didn't matter how quickly I dipped, it was always too soggy --which caused it to burn the outside and not cook the inside--yuck.  Then I tried using a pastry brush to brush on the soy milk and that is what worked!  So here you go-- it's pretty easy, but here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.

Dairy free butter, MB french toast bread, soy milk and a pastry brush

Here are a couple of close ups of the bread and ingredients.  I am always psyched when I find a new option for Noah.  We use this bread for french toast and also regular toast.  It's YUMMY!

Here it is cooking :-)

Can't you just smell it?  hmmmmmmmmmm

And side by side can you tell which was made with egg (I made another batch of "regular" french toast for my daughter and hubby) and which was not?

A little powdered sugar for presentation. :-)
~ Pam