Whereas each calendar day we get up alive and wholesome is value celebrating, some days come alongside that deserve slightly further consideration.
Joyful Nationwide Banana Day! Now seize your bananas and let’s have fun.
As a result of the local weather in our neck of the woods is decidedly anti-banana, it’s one of many many fruits we depend on others to develop and make out there to us. Thanks, farmers in tropical lands; thanks, truck drivers; thanks, anybody who plucks off these scary-looking banana spiders I’ve fortunately solely seen on nature applications.
Bananas are so versatile, it’s no marvel they’re America’s favourite fruit. They’re gentle and candy, and so they are available in their very own little bundle, making them very best for teenagers and adults on the go.
An incredible supply of magnesium and potassium, bananas are additionally an incredible post-workout snack to assist muscular tissues get well. This and their portability are possible the rationale bananas are all the time a part of the snacks out there to runners after an enormous race.
Bananas’ smooshy sweetness lend themselves to many a candy baked good. Everyone knows about banana bread, however bananas’ pure sweetness can substitute refined sugar in a number of recipes.
Overripe bananas’ sugars are able to be made into one thing nice, so if the gnats have began flitting across the fruit bowl, simply pop these bananas immediately into the freezer.
They are going to flip black. They are going to be hideous. It’s all a ruse. Inside is nature’s reply to your candy tooth.
I prefer to run some water over a frozen banana and let it sit for a few minutes, after which I peel it with a knife. That is the best technique I’ve discovered if I need the banana to stay frozen, reminiscent of to be used in sweetening a inexperienced smoothie or for banana “ice cream.”
Whirl these frozen bananas in a meals processor for the dreamiest, creamiest banana gentle serve ever. Add peanut butter for protein and some rainbow sprinkles on high, and it greater than does the job sitting in for the true deal.
Attempt these wholesome recipes to have fun Nationwide Banana Day.
Chia, quinoa and banana granola bars
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raw, rinsed quinoa
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 3/4 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup dried fruit (raisins or cranberries work properly)
- 1/4 cup pure creamy almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
Preheat oven to 350 levels. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a big bowl, mix oats, raw quinoa, chia seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir in mashed banana and vanilla. Fold in almonds, nuts and dried fruit.
Place a small saucepan over low warmth; add almond butter and honey (or maple syrup) and stir till heat and almond butter is melted. Fold into granola bar combination till properly mixed.
Pour into ready pan and press down firmly with fingers or with a measuring cup to assist bars keep intact. Bake for 25 minutes or till edges flip golden brown. Permit to chill fully earlier than reducing into bars.
Recipe tailored from ambitiouskitchen.com.
Banana cookie dough dip
- 1 1/2 cups cooked garbanzo or white beans (1 can, drained and rinsed properly)
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup rolled oats or fast oats
- 1/2 cup ripe mashed banana
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
In a great meals processor, course of all elements besides the chips till fully clean. Stir within the chips, and serve with graham crackers, sliced fruit, gingersnaps or the rest you wish to dip in cookie dough.
Recipe tailored from chocolatecoveredkatie.com.
Amanda Stone is a meals and gardening columnist for The Joplin Globe. E mail inquiries to amandastone31@gmail.com or mail her c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Field 7, Joplin, MO 64802.
