RECIPE: Vegan Banana Bread

RECIPE: Vegan Banana Bread
for Environment911.org
September 17, 2021

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This classic loaf is easy to adapt to a vegan version!

I came home after a weekend away and the bananas in my house were extremely ripe. Sure, I could have tossed them in a smoothie, but it had been a while since I made a loaf of banana bread.

This is my mom’s banana bread recipe that I’ve used for years, but I tweaked it a tiny bit (mainly replacing the two eggs with two flax eggs) to make it vegan. Plus, I added vegan chocolate mini-chips for fun.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 2/3 cup of sugar (make sure it’s vegan, coconut sugar works well)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening

• 1 cup, mashed/puréed, over-ripe bananas, approximately 3

• 2 tbsp flaxseed meal

• 5 tbsp water

• 1/4 cup of mini vegan chocolate chips, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Grease a loaf pan with a small amount of the vegetable shortening. (You can also flour it, but I’ve always skipped that step.)

2. In a small bowl, whisk the flaxseed and the water together to create 2 flax eggs. Set this aside for at least 5 minutes while you mix the rest of the batter.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Either with two knives in a cutting motion or with your hands (my preference), crumble the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs and feels like sand.

5. Stir in the banana and flax eggs, (add chocolate chips here too, if using) until just combined, and no dry spots are left.

6. Pour into the pan and spread evenly.

7. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes and then check the loaf—every oven is different, so you don’t want to overdo it. My oven takes about an hour to get it to the nice golden brown I like. Stick either a toothpick or a knife into the centre of the loaf. If it comes out clean, it should be done.

8. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack and let it cool completely.

9. I store it wrapped in tinfoil and it lasts several days.

ENJOY!

But Make It Vegan: Chocolate Pudding
Recipe for Environment 911

Sometimes you have a craving for pudding (or chocolate in general), but don’t want to over-indulge. This recipe feels like the best of both worlds, as it will curb that chocolate craving and provide nutrition, and you’ll never guess there are avocados in it! You’ll want to adjust the taste based on what you prefer.

More or less banana, or maybe some more cocoa or spices. If you have some picky eaters that prefer a more milk-chocolate taste, you can add a bit of coconut sugar. Just try not to eat it all while you’re taste-testing!

PUDDING INGREDIENTS

• 2 ripe medium avocados

• 1 medium banana

• 1/2 cup cacao powder (double check it’s vegan)

• 6-8 dates (roughly 1/4 cup)

• 1/2 cup plant-based milk

• 1/2 tsp ginger

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 nutmeg, fresh is best if you have it

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

• Non-dairy whipped cream

• Fresh fruit

• Mint

• Sprinkle of fresh nutmeg, or cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Soak the dates either overnight or in a bowl with very warm water for 10 minutes. This softens them and makes them easier to blend. If your blender is high-powered enough, you might not even need this step.

2. Put all pudding ingredients into a food processor, high-powered blender, or if you don’t have either, try an immersion blender. If the mixture is way too thick, add a bit more non-dairy milk, and if it’s too thin, add more banana or avocado.

3. Pour into glasses (wine glasses will work) or small bowls.

4. Optionally chill in fridge for an hour.

5. Top with desired toppings and serve.

Makes 2 large or 4 small servings

Rhubarb Banana Bread (Vegan)
Recipe on the Barre Fitness Blog
May 28, 2019

Vegan & Gluten Free (but full of nuts) Granola Bars!

Made for the Barre Fitness blog on #TastyTuesday.

They are actually delicious, and really easy, and I loved wrapping them like this because it mean I got to share with the instructors and they were super easy to grab on the go.

RECIPE HERE!