Banana Bread

When I was a little girl my mom made banana bread. I remember how much I loved it then, and I still do today. It is another food that reminds me of fall. Hot banana bread right out of the oven. Just thinking about it makes the sweet smells of my memory dance in my nose. Yesterday was the perfect day for making banana bread. It was raining outside, and the wind was tugging the leaves from their branches and hurling them through the air. It was the perfect day to stay inside with my kids and make banana bread together. Lou sat close by watching as Seej smashed the bananas and Doop added the ingredients to the mixer. She was content to wait and be a taste tester. We had a small mishap when Doop turned the mixer on sending the dry ingredients everywhere, but it was all part of the fun. He is definitely learning the do's and don'ts of the mixer! I hope they will file this memory in their bank and that the smell of banana bread will bring back the good time we had together.


Grandma Rue's Banana Bread


2/3 c shortening 1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c sifted flour 1 1/4 c mashed bananas
1 2/3 c sugar 2/3 c buttermilk
1 1/4 tsp baking powder 2 eggs
1 tsp soda 2/3 c chopped nuts (optional)


Stir shortening to soft, sift in dry ingredients. Add bananas and half the buttermilk. Mix until all flour is dampened. Beat vigorously for 2 min. Add remaining buttermilk and the eggs. Beat 2 min. longer. Fold in over chopped nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 min. Cool 10 min. in pans and remove. Makes 3 small loaf pans.