Banana Bread

~from the kitchen of my beautiful wife~ 

Ingredients: 

3 very ripe bananas, (medium/large)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, (8 tablespoons) at room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar (or honey)  

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Directions: 

Preheat the over to 350°F. Grease and flour a bread loaf pan (9.25 long x 5.25 wide x 2.75 deep). Lightly roast walnuts on a skillet, continuously stirring so they won't burn. Coarsely chop and cool to room temperature.

In a mixing bowl, cream together 8 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup sugar (or honey).

Mash bananas with a fork until the consistency of chunky applesauce and add them to the batter along with 2 eggs, mixing until blended.

In a separate bowl, whisk together: 1-1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt then add to batter.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix in chopped walnuts and raisins. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let banana bread rest for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Garlic Ciabatta Bread

~From the kitchen of my beautiful wife~
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

6 large garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good olive oil
1 loaf ciabatta bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the garlic in the bowl of a food processor and process until minced. Add the parsley, oregano, salt and pepper and pulse twice.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan and add the garlic mixture. Remove the pan from the heat.

Slice the ciabatta bread in half horizontally, and spread the butter on 1 half. Spread the garlic mixture on the other half of the bread, and put the halves together. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil.

Place the bread in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Open the foil, and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes.