Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall's Banana Bread

Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall was the feature in the latest KANSAS! magazine Taste article (2024/vol 80/  issue 1). “Food like poetry can summon people. Comparing the two, she says, “Both can be a window and a mirror.” Her article, "Poems & Banana Bread," explores her interest in food insecurity across the state and also explores how she incorporates food and culinary topics with her son and students at Kansas State University. 

ABOUT TRACI'S RECIPE — Food is capable of capturing a moment in time and this recipe transports Traci back to her very first baking experience. She says, “One of the things I like about it is that it never fails. It's always delicious. Oh! And I always freeze my bananas as they brown and then thaw those frozen ones for baking. It makes the banana bread very moist and makes mixing the ingredients go more easily as well.”  

Winter Holiday Suggestion: Bake in disposable pans for gift giving. 

 

MOM’S BANANA BREAD   Yield: 3 mini (3¼  x 5 ¾ x 2-inch) loaf pans

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup mashed (over) ripe bananas (approximately 3-4)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted and cooled

1 small package (4 ounces or 1/4 cup) walnuts or pecans. optional

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stir together flour, salt, and soda. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine bananas and sugar. Stir well. Add egg and butter. 
3. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix with a fork until moistened.
4. Pour into 3 mini loaf pans that have been sprayed with pan release. Fill each pan about two-thirds full. 
5. Bake in a preheated 325 degrees F. oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let cool on a rack before slicing.

Alternative for steps 4 & t5: Pour the batter into a prepared standard (8½ x 4½ x 2⅝-inch) loaf pan; increase baking time to about 55-60 minutes.Quick breads, including this banana bread, should register an internal temperature of 200 to 205 degrees F.Note: Using an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of quick breads is the best and most accurate way to ensure they are perfectly cooked through but not overdone.

The magazine is full of interesting stories including another non-food article I wrote: "Crispin's Mseum of the Wonder Drugs of Yesteryear." Located in a historic building in Lincoln, Kansas, the museum in full of wonders including the owner and retired pharmacist Jack Crispin. This free museum in definitely a must see. 

Crispin's Drug Store Museum is located at 161 E. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln, KS
Phone: 785-524-5383
Website: crispinsdrugmtoremuseum.com or on Facebook