Banana Muffins

Yes...I made banana muffins again! It seems to be a reoccurring theme around here. The reason why I make them so frequently is the kids devour them, there are so many variations (that make them taste totally different) and they can be made totally healthy and vegan or totally indulgent.

The following recipe is how I made them and everyone loved them. I have included in the brackets how you adjust the ingredients to yield a slightly more decadent cafe style banana muffin/cake. I always make my muffins in the mini cupcake pan so they are perfect for little hands, but you could easily make regular sized muffins or even a cake with this recipe. In addition to the mini muffins (you can see one in the picture below) I also made heart shaped muffins as well.

Banana Muffins

• 4 large bananas (could use three for a milder taste)
• 1/2 cup white sugar (1 cup for a sweeter muffin)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup margarine or bitter (1/3 cup for a richer taste)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

* Preheat oven to 350, grease muffin pan or line with liners
* Mash bananas then cream with butter, egg and sugar
* Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir till well combined
* Pour into tins and bake. Approx 15-17 mins for mini size, 20-22mins for regular and about 25-30mins for a cake. (as oven temps may very make sure to insert knife or toothpick if it comes out clean then this will ensure it is cooked all the way through) 

Shaped Pizza

Valentine's is usually a time when people go all out with dinner. Some people who never cook are suddenly inspired and attempt a 5 course meal or at the very least a fancy dessert. The other option is the over crowded restaurant. Seeing as I make dinner every single night of the week, from scratch, I thought Valentine's was the perfect day to make something a little different and get into the spirit of things.

This recipe is really more of a guide. Just like ordering a pizza you can put what ever toppings you enjoy on the pizza. A store bought crust is the perfect base for this dinner along with some salad and a dessert. Any shape pizza could be cut out of the crust but the large heart wastes the least crust and the mini ones maximize the crust as well.

Shaped Pizza

• 1 store bought crust, cut into a large heart or into mini ones using a cookie cutter
• tomato sauce, usually provided with crust
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• veggies of your choice
• olives (optional)
• meat choice (optional)
• 1 tsp butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove garlic
• oregano to taste

*  Spread sauce in a thin even layer on the crust, we only use half the package
* Finely chop all vegetables and put in microwave safe bowl with butter and garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes, veggies should be slightly softened and dried (this prevents the crust from getting soggy, since when fresh veggies cook the release water)
* Put veggies on crust, with olives or any other toppings you choose, top with cheese. Alternatively you could put the veggies on top of the cheese, I just find the cheese on top prevents anyone from picking any veggies off and I think it tastes better
* Sprinkle with oregano 
* Bake in oven as package directs, usually 425 for 12 minutes

"Fresh" Dried Herbs

If you are like me you are always trying to infuse your meals with extra flavour but without extra salt, sugar and sauces laden with preservatives. Herbs are a great way of doing so. Although I prefer fresh herbs I find they always spoil before I can use the whole package. I do buy dried herbs from the local bulk store but sometimes they have a bland taste. I also wonder how long they have been sitting in the bins or jars.

Previous to making dried herbs the way I am going to share with you I always pictured having plates of herbs out drying for days or hanging from various spots in the kitchen. This is an easy way to get fresh dried herbs and know exactly what is in them. Best thing is there is no extra baking or time involved...just do the following steps next time you are already using your oven! I make my herbs after we have made muffins or cookies.

Dried Herbs

• fresh herbs (mint, sage, rosemary, etc.), washed if needed and dried
• spread out evenly on cookie sheet - I make aluminum foil dividers so I can put more than one herb on a sheet
• place the sheets in heated oven - after shutting it off from your previous baking/cooking
• leave overnight in the morning remove and place in Ziploc bag
• gently shake in bag to crumble the leaves and for the leaves to follow off the stems, remove stems from bag

 That is it...you can store your herbs in spice jars or leave in the bags. Now you know how to have fresh herbs that didn't involve extra electricity, time or weeks of waiting.