Banana Bread

Anybody that knows my Dad knows how much he LOVES bananas, so much so that my aunt & uncle gave him a whole crate of bananas as a gag gift for my parents' wedding and then again for their 25th anniversary.  After my parents' 25th anniversary party we had to figure out what to do with all of those bananas so they didn't go to waste, so I ended up making a whole bunch of banana bread.  This is the recipe I used.

• 1/2 c butter (can use shortening)
• 1 c sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 8 Tbsp cold water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 1/2 c flour
• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• nuts (optional)

Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs and cold water.  Mix to combine.  In another bowl combine baking soda, baking powder, and flour.  Add mashed bananas to wet mixture and stir well.  Stir in dry ingredients a little at a time until incorporated.  If desired, add some chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans.  Lightly grease 2 loaf pans or spray with nonstick cooking spray.  Divide batter evenly between the loaf pans and bake at 325 degrees for about an hour.

Banana Cream Pie

I don't know if this is technically considered a pie since it's made in a springform pan, but it's yummy whatever you choose to call it.

• 24 graham cracker squares (2 1/2" each)
• 1/2 c butter, melted
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 (12 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
• 1 (3.4 oz) pkg instant vanilla pudding
• 1 c sour cream
• 3 medium ripe bananas
• 1/3 c chopped pecans

Finely chop graham crackers - you should have about 2 cups of crumbs.  Mix graham cracker crumbs with butter and sugar in a medium bowl.  Press evenly over the bottom and about 2/3 of the way up the sides of a springform pan.  In another medium bowl, combine Cool Whip, pudding mix and sour cream.  Stir vigorously with a whisk and spread half of the filling into the crust in the springform pan.  Thinly slice bananas and layer evenly over filling in the pan.  Spread remaining half of the filling over the bananas.  Finely chop pecans and sprinkle over the top of the filling.  Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes, before serving.  To serve, remove ring from side of springform pan and cut into 12 slices.  Makes 12 servings.

Dirty Banana

This was our favorite drink from our honeymoon in Jamaica.  We loved it so much we watched how the bartenders made it so we could make it ourselves when we got home.  Even though there's no chocolate in it, it tastes sort of like a chocolate banana shake with a kick.  This is as close as we could get to the original.

• 6 shots Rum Cream Liqueur
• 2 shots Coffee Liqueur (Blue Mountain Coffee liqueur is best, but Kahlua can be used instead)
• 1 whole ripe banana
• splash grenadine

Fill a blender container about 1/2 way with ice.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend well.  This makes 2-4 servings, depending on how large your serving glasses are.