Comba-nana Bread

Finally! I found some bananas! Seriously, I didn't realize how rare those things are out here. I was walking to the Dining Facility with my girl, Julie and a dude walks out carrying 2 bananas. I admit, I squealed with joy a bit. As soon as I walked in, I grabbed a to-go box, skipped past all the bacon and eggs and staked my claim on 5 bananas. Those five bananas were turned into this little creation.
Now, I was planning on waiting for the bananas to ripen, like I'm supposed to, but on my day off, I was really tired and I ended up sleeping too long and waking up at the time I was actually supposed to go to bed. After hitting up the D-Fac, (and getting my bananas!) I went to the gym and meant to nap afterwards. It must have been the combination of the 14 hours of sleep I had gotten the day before and just pure excitement to make banana bread, but I couldn't sleep and I ended up finally giving in and just making banana bread. The guys were really thankful.


Ingredients:
1/3 c. oil
2/3 c. sugar
5 small D-Fac bananas (or 3 large ripe ones)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
a pinch of salt
2 c. all-purpose flour

Resembles most of the food there anyway

First off, mash the bananas. (Ripe bananas are more commonly used for a couple of reasons. One, they are easier to mash, especially when one is subjected to using a plastic fork for the mashing. Two, they tend to be more flavorful. However, beggars can't be choosers and I choose to use what I can beg for. Note the to-go container. You can also use a bowl like a normal human being and the taste should be the same, but this was what I had. )

Whisk the sugar and oil together until evenly mixed. Add bananas to mixture and mix well. (This photo shows before I added the bananas. Sometimes I get so eager to continue with the process, I forget to stop and take photos.)

Add baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix thoroughly. Gradually add flour a little at a time, mixing in well between each addition. (This is how I found the best way is to bake if you only have one bowl to mix everything in.)

Pour batter into greased pan (I used my homemade baking dishes)  and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. (I had to bake mine at about 300 degrees for 45 minutes because of the obvious altitude difference in the plane. I also didn't have a toothpick so I ended up using the back of a plastic spoon. That's why there is  a huge hole in mine.)


My friend Ashley suggested using baby food bananas if I couldn't find regular ones. Moms always have the most creative ideas. I definitely think that would work, if you happen to have some lying around and don't have regular bananas - and are dying to make banana bread of course! I knew even before I came out to this "resort" that I wanted to bake banana bread. Now all of my dreams have been fulfilled. As I've said many times, it's the little things on deployment that make everything more bearable.