I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

as a die-hard vegetarian, one would think that i eat enough fruit and vegetables. vegetables, yes. fruit...well, i have good intentions. i buy the fruit. the fruit sits on the counter in a decorative bowl. i get hungry. i look at the fruit. i eat a peanut butter sandwich. the fruit ripens. i look at the fruit. sometimes the fruit shrivels and becomes a little rock
in the bowl. bananas, on the other hand, go in the freezer. then it is... BANANA BREAD TIME
i've been using the same banana bread recipe for more than 10 years. page 516 in the cookbook is covered with spots and i am surprised i can still even read the ingredients. i do make adaptations-sometimes i use buttermilk, sometimes yogurt, sometimes sour cream. sometimes i use nuts, sometimes chocolate chips (sometimes both). my favorite adaptation is to add a little ground espresso in place of a bit of flour. i often use decaf, though i don't know if the little amount i put in might affect anyone who can't have caffeine. this banana bread was really popular at my coffeehouse, epitome; nothing beats the smell of fresh banana bread. of course, it gets better the next day.

so here it is, helene's not-even-close to world famous recipe for
Espresso Banana Bread

1/4 lb organic butter, softened
1 1/2 cups turbinado sugar
2 mashed bananas
2 free-range organic eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk (yes, organic)
and..optional...chocolate chips, walnuts, espresso

whip, whip, whip (or beat, beat, beat) your butter. add sugar. whip, whip, whip. add bananas and eggs and vanilla. whip, whip, whip.
in a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. you can substitue a tablespoon of espresso for a tablespoon of flour (play around with it...more, less). add dry to wet. add the yogurt (etc). and then the chips, nuts. do not overmix.
if you want, chop some walnuts and add some sugar and butter--i do this by eye, but i'd say: 1/2 cup walnuts, 2 T butter (soft) and 1/4 cup sugar. mix and use a topping before baking.

bake 350 (don't forget to grease the pan!) for 45-50 minutes.
cool
enjoy