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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini

Chocolate Banana Bread


Happy New Year and let's hope this year is a better one. I wanted to thank those who responded with advice about my shoulder. I think it helps you mentally when you realize that you are not the only person that has experienced the misery. I thank you for the helpful tips and encouragement. I would share a piece of this chocolate banana bread if I could but I can at least pass on the recipe.

I was watching a series called "My Greatest Dishes" which features mostly British and Australian chefs. The only one I was familiar with was Prue Leith from "Great British Baking Show". I wasn't familiar with Bill Granger and that is whoe this recipe came from. Upon further investigation, it is a hugely popular recipe and Granger is also credited with inventing avocado toast.

Bill Granger’s Chocolate Banana Bread

  • 2 cups plain (all purpose) flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 4 ripe bananas, mashed

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Method

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350.

  2. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl

  3. Mix the butter, sugar, eggs, banana, chocolate chips and vanilla extract in a separate bowl

  4. Add to the dry ingredients and stir to combine, being careful not to over mix

  5. Pour the batter into a non-stick , or lightly greased and floured 9 x 5” loaf pan and bake for 1 hour and 5-10 minutes or until the bread is cooked when tested with a skewer

  6. Leave to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.

 


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Yum. I'll have to try that. I just made banana bread a few days ago, (because ripe bananas). Choc Chips sounds like a good flavor accent.

    Happy 2021, Phillip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The banana bread looks amazing. Happy New Year!

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  3. Looks great to me (even if I'm full from dinner). Best wishes for the new year!

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  4. That looks amazing. I will have to check out the series you mentioned, as I love the Great British Baking Show. I wish you a wonderful 2021!

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  5. I make a simple banana cake in which all ingredients go into a blender, rather than bowl but otherwise similar. I love the idea of making it chocolate banana bread!

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