Monday, November 1, 2010

Banana Nut Muffins

This is a fairly easy recipe and a great way to use up over-ripe bananas.  To make one dozen muffins you will need one cup of mashed banana, which amounts to about two regular sized bananas.  Set your oven for 400 degrees and assemble together the following:




In the center is a muffin tray filled with paper liners.  If you don't have paper liners, grease the bottom of each section.  ONLY GREASE THE BOTTOM.  If you grease the sides the muffins can't rise and you'll have a mess.


Starting at the top and following clockwise are the ingredients; 3/4 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, one egg, 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract, 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tsps. baking powder and 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup mashed bananas and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (pecans may be substituted).


Now begin making the batter:



Combine the milk, oil, egg and vanilla and mix well.  Then add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix ONLY UNTIL THE FLOUR IS MOISTENED.  The batter will be lumpy and this is how you want it.



Now add the banana and nuts and mix only until these are mixed in.  You should only use a few strokes for this.  Now let the batter sit for a few minutes before continuing.



After the batter sits for a few minutes, divide it evenly between the cups.  Now let it sit for another few minutes before putting it in the oven.  By letting the batter sit you will get better crowns on the muffins.  When it's finished sitting, bake it for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden.




When they're finished, remove them from the pan immediately (so they don't continue cooking) and set them on a wire rack to cool.


Bon appetit!