"Healthified" Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 egg whites
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 large)
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla




Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom only of 8x4-inch or 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or spray with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In large bowl, beat sugar, oil, egg whites, bananas, milk and vanilla until well blended.



Stir in flour mixture until well blended.



Spoon into pan.



Bake 8-inch loaf 55 to 62 minutes, 9-inch loaf 45 to 52 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack.



Cool completely, about 1 hour, before slicing.



Verdict:

Laura - Thumbs Up - I love that this bread is made with whole wheat flour. It's delicious!

Randy - Thumbs Up - Randy actually likes this.

Nathan - Thumbs Up - This is one of Nathan's favorite snacks.

Leftovers: Leftovers are great! I keep the bread on the counter wrapped in foil and it will last about a week, if it doesn't get eaten up first.

Oatmeal

From Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld



Ingredients:
1 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup canned pumpkin or sweet potato puree (I used sweet potato.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (I used pumpkin pie spice.)
1 cup old-fashioned oats
2 teaspoons natural peanut butter (optional) (I used it.)
Dried fruit and nuts (optional)
Pure maple syrup, for serving



Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, puree, vanilla, if using, and spice. Bring to a gentle boil and stir in the oatmeal. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the oatmeal is soft and creamy. Stir in the peanut butter, if using.



Spoon the oatmeal into bowls, sprinkle with dried fruit and nuts, if you like, and serve warm with maple syrup.

Verdict:

Laura - Thumbs Up - This oatmeal was warm and filling. It tasted like an oatmeal cookie. Yummy!

Randy - No comment. Randy wasn't home when I made this.

Nathan - Thumbs Down - Nathan wasn't interested in trying it. I offered him a spoonful and he pushed it away. Maybe he will try some tomorrow.

Leftovers: I'll eat the leftovers tomorrow for breakfast.

Crustless Bacon and Cheese Quiche

I halfed this recipe because Randy doesn't eat eggs and I didn't want to have a lot of leftovers. I will give you the full recipe.



Prep: 15 minutes Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup sliced green onions (I omitted these.)
1 cup chopped tomatoes
12 slices bacon
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
12 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used colby jack.)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese




Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Cook bacon however you like to. I used precooked bacon, so I heated mine in the microwave.



Cook mushrooms in skillet about 2 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat.



Chop bacon and add to mushrooms.



Add onions and tomatoes; mix well.



Beat eggs.



Add sour cream and beat with wire whisk until well blended.



Pour egg mixture into greased 13x9-inch baking dish.



Top with bacon mixture.



Top with cheeses.



Bake 30 minutes or until center is set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into pieces to serve.



Makes 12 servings, 1 piece each.

Verdict:

Laura - Thumbs Up - This was great. You can use this recipe as a road map and change up the veggies, meat and cheeses with whatever you like. Next time, I think I'll use spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese.

Randy - Randy did not take a bite of this. He doesn't eat eggs.

Nathan - Thumbs Up - Nathan liked this. He normally doesn't eat eggs, so I was surprised he liked it.

Leftovers: This was great the second time. I ate some for breakfast this morning.