Tag: banana jam

Family · Family Favorites

Banana Bread with Banana Jam…double the flavor!

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Banana Bread is an old time favorite that my Mother and the women before her made for their families. I like it plain, with a little butter, but always shared with family and friends.

This time I decided to try it with the Banana Jam we drooled over in Nicaragua and I wasn’t disappointed.  This combination is great for breakfast, coffee, or dessert. Just say BANANA!

BANANA BREAD

2 cups sifted all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon flour

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Sift together 2 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
  • Cream together shortening and sugar.
  • Blend in eggs and vanilla; mix well.
  • Add dry ingredients alternately with bananas, mixing just until blended.
  • Combine pecans and 1 tsp. flour; stir into batter. Pour into greased 9″ tube pan.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on rack.

Yield: 1 loaf

Nicaragua…Introduction to Banana Jam…YUM!
Nicaragua · Vegetarian

Nicaragua…Introduction to Banana Jam…YUM!

cathysmaha3 Comments

What a delight to get up in the morning, dress and not worry about applying cosmetics or blow-drying my hair.  At least that is what I thought until I looked at my pictures when I returned home. YIKES!  That is why you are seeing more photos of food and scenery than of me.

Bananas and Poinsettas growing at FEV

I would wander to the dining area in the morning to enjoy a fresh banana (craving one now) and a hot cup of that coffee!  I take a moment to soak in the beautiful morning view while my travel buddies wander in, one by one, to convene for breakfast.

Morning view of the cloud forest from Tucan Lodge

This particular morning, we were served wonderful pancakes with fresh jams.  My absolute favorite was the banana jam.  Again, I wonder how I’ve never tasted banana jam.  Genius!

Pancakes with jams

When I returned home, I searched for Banana Jam recipes and found the following recipe in the Jamlady’s cookbook.  I made it.  I liked it.  We served it at daughter Sarah’s bridal shower along with scones and clotted cream.  It’s a cherished member of my growing collection of recipes.

Ingredients for Banana Jam

BANANA JAM

3 1/2 pounds of peeled bananas
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

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Cooking Banana Jam

Mash the bananas and cook with the rest of the ingredients for 20 minutes. Stir continuously so the jam does not stick or burn. Cool. Jam will thicken. Optional: use food processor to blend.

I did not freeze or can the jam but ate it all fresh! My next experiment will be to use banana jam in homemade ice cream. YUM!

IMG_1391

Recipe adapted from Jamlady, ‘Jellies, Jams, and Preserves’