Banana Walnut bread

I made this Banana Walnut bread one day for an evening snack. Sapna was home early and she saw the banana bread cooling on the table. She yelped with joy. After brewing the tea and filling up the cups for everyone she perched herself on the swing, a teacup in one hand and a stick of the still warm banana walnut bread, nibbling slowly and lost in her own world. She made such a pretty picture. Touch wood.

Back from her reverie she thanked me for this bake. In my mind I thanked God for family and allowing me to make them happy. Then followed her usual remark, "Pranav pahije hota" she obviously misses my foodie nephew whenever I bake.

Ingredients

• 2 large bananas 
• 3/4 cup demerara sugar
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 1/2 cups white flour/ maida
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnuts

Peel the bananas. Mash them in a bowl. Mix oil and sugar along with banana and beat till creamy and the sugar is dissolved. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the batter with a spatula.

Prepare the baking tin. Grease and dust with flour. Tap off the excess flour over the basin. Now crush the walnuts with the hand and sprinkle at the bottom of the baking tin. Pour the batter over it. Level it out evenly.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 deg centigrade for 15-20 mins till the knife inserted comes out clean or its golden on the top and leaves the sides of the tin.

Remove from the oven, let it cool completely, then turn it out on a serving plate. I used a laminated paper banana leaf to serve it on.

This Banana walnut bread is spongy and the oval shape lent itself well to cut out sticks, best for a delicate nibble.

A cashew version of the Banana bread.