Cooking Challenge: Bananas

inskydiamonds
inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
edited September 22 in Recipes
Welcome to the fifth round of the cooking challenge! This week's ingredient comes to us from egbkid who was the winner of the sweet potato challenge.

685eae28a64417ee4b2bfba7ebeb100e.jpg

This week's challenge is BANANAS!

This is our first challenge involving a fruit. What will you guys do with it?!

While full of potassium, dietary fiber, and Vitamin C bananas don't contain sodium, fat, or cholesterol. Because of the combination of high potassium and low sodium, bananas help reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Bananas contain natural sugars which give your body a substantial energy boost when you need it most.

Banana (1 medium 7"-7 7/8" long)
105 calories
0 grams fat
0 mg cholesterol
1 mg sodium
422 mg potassium
27 grams carbs
3 grams dietary fiber
14 grams sugar
1 grams protein

These are the rules for the challenge:

1. You don't need to have created the recipe, but you DO need to make it.
2. Voting will be put up for the challenge and the winner of the challenge will pick the next ingredient to be used.
3. Pictures are encouraged but not required. If you want to post a picture upload it on a website like photobucket.com or tinypic.com . If there's any questions about how to do that, don't be shy to ask me.
4. You do need to post the recipe you used so other people can try it too, if they so please.
5. If you used a recipe from another source give credit to the original creator!
6. Your recipe can be a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, or dessert! Anything!

Fill out the following form to play:

NAME OF RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
CALORIES PER SERVING:
HOW MANY IT SERVES:
OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC:
PICTURE (optional):

Voting for this challenge will begin next Saturday at 5PM Pacific Standard Time.
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Replies

  • KarenBorter
    KarenBorter Posts: 1,157 Member
    Posting because I have been making some yummy recovery shakes with Banana ... have to try a few more in order to post the best one!
  • melodyg
    melodyg Posts: 1,423 Member
    Oh, yay! I have already planned out my menu for next week and was afraid I wouldn't be able to participate in the cooking challenge. I can easily fit bananas into a snack, dessert or breakfast! :) Can't wait to see everyone's recipes!
  • OMG SO IN on this one! We have bananas ALL the time (freezing a PB and banana for a sweet snack as we speak)

    I am going to try to make something new with this :bigsmile:
  • meagalayne
    meagalayne Posts: 3,382 Member
    BUMP for when I get back... Love love love bananas and I know exactly what I'm going to make! WOOT!
  • Bump....be back later today with something :):)
  • virginiagomes
    virginiagomes Posts: 110 Member
    I make a banana shake
  • egbkid
    egbkid Posts: 164 Member
    Whiz Bang Banana Muffins

    1 cup flour
    1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
    1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    1 Tbsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    1/8 tsp salt
    1/3 cup milk
    1 egg
    2 Tbsp cooking oil
    1 large banana, cut up.

    Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

    In a blender, combine milk, egg and oil. Cover and blend smooth. With blender running, add banana and blend into mixture.

    Pour into dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake in 400 F oven for about 20 minutes.



    CALORIES PER SERVING: 164

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: Six (muffin tops)

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: YUMMY!! Made them several times.


    tried pictures on flicker, all i got was the 'broken pic' picture :-(
    taking it directly from my blog made it HUGE about a foot high, i think because i take pictures in high-def.

    http://mmmhomecooking.blogspot.com/2010/09/whiz-bang-banana-muffins.html

    here are the pictures!
  • Whiz Bang Banana Muffins

    1 cup flour
    1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
    1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    1 Tbsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    1/8 tsp salt
    1 egg
    2 Tbsp cooking oil
    1 large banana, cut up.

    Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

    In a blender, combine milk, egg and oil. Cover and blend smooth. With blender running, add banana and blend into mixture.

    Pour into dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake in 400 F oven for about 20 minutes.



    CALORIES PER SERVING: 164

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: Six (muffin tops)

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: YUMMY!! Made them several times.


    5159367003

    It sounds great but you didn't list the milk in the ingredients, how much milk?
  • egbkid
    egbkid Posts: 164 Member
    Haha, this has been posted on my blog for 3 months and i never noticed it before! Thanks! I have edited my post it is 1/3 cup.
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Whiz Bang Banana Muffins

    1 cup flour
    1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
    1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    1 Tbsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    1/8 tsp salt
    1/3 cup milk
    1 egg
    2 Tbsp cooking oil
    1 large banana, cut up.

    Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

    In a blender, combine milk, egg and oil. Cover and blend smooth. With blender running, add banana and blend into mixture.

    Pour into dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake in 400 F oven for about 20 minutes.



    CALORIES PER SERVING: 164

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: Six (muffin tops)

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: YUMMY!! Made them several times.


    tried pictures on flicker, all i got was the 'broken pic' picture :-(
    taking it directly from my blog made it HUGE about a foot high, i think because i take pictures in high-def.

    http://mmmhomecooking.blogspot.com/2010/09/whiz-bang-banana-muffins.html

    here are the pictures!

    I want a muffin top pan! Where'd you find it?
  • egbkid
    egbkid Posts: 164 Member
    at a small specialty cook / house & home shop. I don't know if it is a local business or a franchise, it is called Decor8.
    they have all kinds of weird baking stuff that you would not find elsewhere. Try Parderno, though, they might have them.
  • NAME OF RECIPE: Steamed Banana Cake
    INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS: http://abc-lolita.blogspot.com/2010/11/tianas-kitchensteamed-banana-cake.html
    Photo process!
    CALORIES PER SERVING: 106
    HOW MANY IT SERVES: 6
    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: I added too much baking soda, so I showed that in my recipe. Also the banana was not quite as ripe as baking bananas should be, so the banana flavor was not as strong :( I think I will try this again next time we get bananas! Need the banana to be almost BROWN! The texture was nice though :)
    PICTURE:
    cakeu.jpg

    EDIT: for some reason photobucket does not work, so I tried this on imageshack
  • bsoxluvr
    bsoxluvr Posts: 183 Member
    bump! can't wait to see what's added!
  • carcar63
    carcar63 Posts: 158
    just bought bananas, will have to try a couple recipes
  • dmmarie21
    dmmarie21 Posts: 254 Member
    NAME OF RECIPE: Frozen Banana split dessert
    INGREDIENTS:
    2 medium bananas, sliced
    1 (8oz) container Fat free cool whip
    1/2 C splenda granular
    1 (16 oz) bag frozen strawberries (unsweetened)
    1 (20 0z) can crushed pineapple, drained
    1 (8 oz) package fat free cream cheese

    DIRECTIONS:

    Mix splenda with the cream cheese. Stir in the other ingredients. Line 2 loaf pans with plastic wrap and divide mixture between each pan and spread evenly. Freeze for 6 hours. Lift out of loaf pan and peel off wrap. Slice each loaf into 6 pieces. Wrap leftovers in plastic and freeze.

    CALORIES PER SERVING:

    Calories: 113
    Fat- 0
    Protein: 3
    Carbs: 24
    Fiber: 2
    Cholestrol: 2
    Sodium: 115

    WW Points: 2

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: 12

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC:
    It has been awhile since I have made this, and I couldn't find the website that I used, since I had it written down. It may have even been in a book. It is soooo delicious though, especially when you are craving a banana split; even the kids loved it!
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    NAME OF RECIPE: Chai Banana Bread (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Chai-Bread/Detail.aspx)

    INGREDIENTS:
    1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    1 tbsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp salt
    3/4 cup white sugar
    1/2 cup Neufchatel cheese
    2 eggs
    1 1/2 bananas, mashed
    1/4 cup brewed chai tea

    DIRECTIONS:
    1. In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

    2. In a separate bowl attached to a stand mixer, cream together the sugar, Neufchatel cheese, and eggs until light and fluffy. Mixed mashed bananas and chai into the wet mixture. Continue to combine.

    3. Add flour mix and mix until smooth.

    4. Pour mixture into a greased 9x5 loaf pan.

    5. Bake at 350 for one hour.

    CALORIES PER SERVING:
    159 calories per serving, 242 milligrams sodium

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: 12

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: It looks pretty, but I haven't tasted it yet. I baked it on a study break tonight but I won't actually be having a slice until breakfast tomorrow. I'll post then and let everyone know how it turned out!

    PICTURE (optional):
    IMG_3674.jpg
  • egbkid
    egbkid Posts: 164 Member
    since everyone else's pictures seem huge to; i will post mine :-) I just know large pictures are killer for people on dial up!


    DSC01809.JPG



    Whiz Bang Banana Muffins!
  • I made these last week, and they're getting better and better every day! As a side note, I baked the first tray for the full 25 min, but they really didn't need that long. The second tray I took out at 20 minutes, and they weren't as dry. So, depending on your oven, you may want to watch them.

    Courtesy www.weelicious.com

    Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies (Makes 30 Cookies)

    3 Bananas (preferably ripe or spotty bananas)
    2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
    1 Cup Dried Dates, pitted and chopped fine
    1/4 Cup Oil
    1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
    1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips, Walnuts or Raisins
    1/4 Tsp Salt

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Mash bananas in a bowl, and mix in the remaining ingredients.
    3. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
    4. Using a mini ice cream scoop or tablespoon, place the batter onto a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet.
    4. Bake for 25 Minutes.
    5. Cool and serve.

    ** To make into bars – place dough in a greased 7×11 dish, bake for 35-40 minutes then allow to cool. Cut into bars or squares.
    **To Freeze: allow cookies to cool after baking then place in a Ziploc bag, label and freeze for up to 3 months.


    Per Cookie:
    Calories: 84
    Carbs: 13
    Fat: 3
    Protein: 1
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    NAME OF RECIPE: Chai Banana Bread (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Chai-Bread/Detail.aspx)


    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: It looks pretty, but I haven't tasted it yet. I baked it on a study break tonight but I won't actually be having a slice until breakfast tomorrow. I'll post then and let everyone know how it turned out!

    I just ate a slice of the bread and I really loved it. I put it in the microwave for a minute to warm it up and had it with a glass of chocolate soy milk. I think I probably should have used some stronger chai to pull out more of the spicy flavor from it, but I used what I had which was a chai green tee mix. I can taste some of it though, but I can tell that with the stronger flavor from the tea it would be even better.
  • FemininGuns
    FemininGuns Posts: 605 Member
    bump for later!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE bananas!!
  • Kwilliams75
    Kwilliams75 Posts: 231 Member
    Not really a recipe but my family loves to take the banana still in the peel and place it on the electric burner until the banana is really brown. This caramelizes the natural sugar in it and makes it wonderful!!
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    NAME OF RECIPE: Chocolate Banana Breakfast Smoothie

    INGREDIENTS:
    1 frozen small banana
    1 cup skim milk
    1 packet sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast
    1 tbsp milled flaxseed
    1/2 cup Weight Watchers nonfat vanilla yogurt
    1/2 cup organic baby spinach (yes, spinach)

    DIRECTIONS:
    Pour milk into blender and add instant breakfast powder, yogurt, and flaxseed. Blend for 5 seconds. Add spinach and blend for 10-15 seconds until the spinach is pureed into the milk mixture. Break the banana into quarters and slowly blend them in. Add ice and blend in until desired consistency. (You wont even know the spinach is in there but the nutrients it provides is great!)

    CALORIES PER SERVING: 340
    Carbs: 61
    Fat: 3g
    Protein: 20g
    Fiber: 11g
    Sodium 271 mg

    HOW MANY IT SERVES: 1

    OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC: AMAZING!!
  • Banana sandwich (all the kids I know love it)

    You spread a tbspoon of nutella on a bread roll (or any bread you like) plus some banana in slices.
    Depending the size... around 250-300 calories
  • meagalayne
    meagalayne Posts: 3,382 Member
    Wow. Steamed banana cake looks SO good!! Also, Liz - that chai banana bread looks divine! I have a recipe for a pumpkin banana curry that I am hoping to find time for before Saturday... We will see!

    Keep these recipes coming, folks!
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Wow. Steamed banana cake looks SO good!! Also, Liz - that chai banana bread looks divine! I have a recipe for a pumpkin banana curry that I am hoping to find time for before Saturday... We will see!

    Keep these recipes coming, folks!

    I'm hoping you make it! Even though I didn't do it myself I was hoping someone would make something savory.
  • I fixed my recipe on my blog! The final calorie count is 115 per slice, so still pretty good :smile:
    Reduced the amount of baking soda, and added 1 Tbsp of brown sugar. It is still not nearly as sweet as Western cakes, just so you know! So if you add more sugar, the calories will go up too :ohwell:
  • smarston
    smarston Posts: 78 Member
    Not really a recipe but they are so good and super quick for a breakfast on the run. 1 Whole wheat or multigrain tortilla, 1 Tablespoon peanut butter(my husband likes his with crunchy) and 1 banana. Spread the tortilla with the peanut butter, add the banana, roll it up and jump in the car. Perfect if your in a hurry and it tastes great. Depending on the tortilla you buy it is about 320 cals.
  • meagalayne
    meagalayne Posts: 3,382 Member
    Not really a recipe but they are so good and super quick for a breakfast on the run. 1 Whole wheat or multigrain tortilla, 1 Tablespoon peanut butter(my husband likes his with crunchy) and 1 banana. Spread the tortilla with the peanut butter, add the banana, roll it up and jump in the car. Perfect if your in a hurry and it tastes great. Depending on the tortilla you buy it is about 320 cals.
    I do this with my PB2 all the time... So good!

    Liz - Yep! I was hoping I wouldn't be the only one... Pumpkin, sweet potato and banana curry is on the menu tomorrow for lunch. It is my kitchen experiment for the day (since I know my family won't really enjoy it)... Will definitely post my recipe and pics once it's done!
  • Not really cooking - Banana Ice Cream?
    Ripe Bananas
    Peel and chop into about 1" pieces
    Put in freezer until frozen solid
    Place in blender until consistancy of soft serve ice cream
    Eat immediately

    Add topings if you like. It is important to eat right away it will melt quickly and loose that ice cream texture. It is also important to use o:bigsmile: nly ripe bananas because they have the most flavor. I like to put some crushed coca roast almonds on top.
  • emmyvera
    emmyvera Posts: 599 Member
    Banana Puddin' Whip

    1/2 Banana
    4 TBSP of Cool Whip Lite
    1/2 Cup of Jell-O Sugar Free Vanilla Instant Pudding
    Calories: 176

    Layer in a glass - Whala!
    I put pudding > banana > cool whip > banana
    Satisfies my sweet tooth, so light! :tongue:

    And easy to make for a gathering and you can make up a cute presentation with glasses and added garnishes (e.i. strawberries or blueberries too!)
This discussion has been closed.