gifts from the hart - loaves of love

(i had hoped these loaf pans would be filled with yummy thick batter for this photo shoot, but my morning baking was put on hold with a last minute trip to the pediatrician's office.  bad news:  enzo's congestion and cough is getting worse .  good news: it is still just in his sinuses, not his chest.  basically, he has a virus - not sure if it is rsv - but basically we have to keep an eye on him.  if his appetite remains and he gets no worse we keep him at home.  if he is not any better by the end of next week, we go back in.  oh and more bad news: the thrush is back.  blech!  good news:  we still have the meds from december so no buying new stuff.  anyway, this homemade gift idea will not include a pretty finished project.  but i still think it is a great one, so let's get to it) 

here is a fantastic recipe for banana bread.  seriously people, i am lovin' this take on a classic.  it comes all the way from zanzibar, where my college roomie and her family call home.

mkate wa ndizi (banana bread) 

combine:
1/3 c. vegetable/canola/sunflower oil 

3/4 c. sugar
1/4c. water

add:
1 beaten egg
2 mashed bananas
1 tsp. lemon juice

then add in this order:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour

3/4 cup chocolate chips optional

bake at 375 degrees until browned and it passes the toothpick test.

about 20 minutes for muffins and 30-45 minutes for a loaf.

here is where i would show you a photo of beautiful photo of baked bread.  maybe later?

then i would show you a photo of pretty wrapping. i plan on using waxed paper and twine to simply package up my loaves.  kind of like here. aren't the hearts so pretty?

source

let me know if you try this recipe.  it is soooo good.   i love the spiciness of the cloves.  thanks roxi for sharing!

what yumminess are you bakin' (or cookin') up for this weekend?