Try this New Recipe from Your Friends at Wesley Enhanced Living

Today’s popular American diet could mean that many of us are not getting the best daily nutrients for your body. Often, treats like sweet breads are made with too much sugar and unhealthy fats. While many of us may not realize it, usually, it only takes a little tweaking of your favorite recipe to get the taste you enjoy with the nutrients you need. 

At Wesley Enhanced Living retirement communities, we understand the desire to continue to eat the foods you love while keeping the unhealthy aspects at bay. That is why we continually provide our residents with healthy, nutritious meals in an inviting environment. Check out this recipe you can make at home. This banana bread recipe uses avocado as the fat, instead of butter, to improve the nutrition profile of this treat. Avocados are cholesterol free and contain a high amount of monounsaturated fat (MUFA).

But first, here’s some trivia about banana bread:

  • It’s the most sought-after bread recipe across America.
  • The two main events that inspired this sweet treat are the Great Depression of 1929-30 and the nationwide availability of baking powder / baking soda. Wanting to use overripe bananas and avoid wasting food, chefs and cookbook writers floated several recipes for banana “quick bread” without the use of yeast.
  • February 23rd is National Banana Bread Day.

Interested in more fun facts about the history of banana bread? Read it here. 

Avocado Banana Bread – Adapted from Cooking Light, C. Slocum, 2016

TIPS before starting: 

  • When making any banana bread, use soft, ripe bananas. They should have brown on the skin. In the case of this recipe, make sure the avocados are soft and easy to puree!
  • Customize the bread to your tastes. Add some ground cinnamon or a touch of nutmeg. Stir chopped toasted pecans into the batter or chopped extra-dark chocolate. Sweeten some cream cheese with honey or maple syrup to serve with the bread.
  • Make this bread vegan: Omit the buttermilk and substitute the same amount of unsweetened almond milk and add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to the batter. Use your vegan substitute for the 2 eggs.

Let’s get baking!

Ingredients:

  • 9.5 ounces (approx. 2 cups) white, whole-wheat flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3 large ripe bananas
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk (or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or spoon flour into measuring cup; level with a knife.

3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk.

4. Place banana in a medium bowl; mash with a potato masher or fork. Place avocado in a food processor; process until completely pureed. Transfer avocado to bowl with banana. Add sugar, buttermilk, vanilla, and egg; stir with a whisk until blended.

5. Gradually add flour mixture to banana mixture; stirring until batter is smooth.

4. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for about 75 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nutritional Facts (per 1 slice, loaf makes 10-14 slices):

  • Calories 165
  • Fat 3.2g
  • Protein 4g
  • Carb 30g
  • Fiber 4g
  • Sugars 14g

Enjoy Banana Bread Again…With Healthy Fats

Take pleasure in a favorite comfort treat with a twist. The retirement communities at Wesley Enhanced Living give you the opportunity to enjoy scrumptious food with your new friends. Our residents are always excited to welcome newcomers to the family! 

Wesley Enhanced Living provides high-quality senior retirement communities for you or your loved ones.  Contact one of our Philadelphia area locations and find out why our seniors love where they live. Our staff is happy to discuss your elder’s needs or your own, give you a tour and inform you of our range of services.

Wesley Enhanced Living provides high-quality senior retirement communities for you or your loved ones. Please visit our website to learn more or click here to request more information today.