Banana Bread

I don't bake that often, but when I do, this banana bread recipe is my FAVORITE to make and eat:). It's smooth, soft, sweet, and certainly delish!

What You'll Need:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 large egg whites

1 1/2 cups banana puree (mashed ripe bananas)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract (optional)

What to Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9x5x3 loaf pan
2. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flours, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon. Set a side
3. In a seperate bowl, mix brown sugar with oil until smooth; making sure there are no lumps. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients
4. In a blender, combine banana puree, vanilal extract, egg whites, almond extract until thoroughly blended
5. Fold banana mixture into dry ingredients and brown sugar mixture, until well combined
6. Spread batter into pan and bake for 55-60 min.

Enjoy!

Banana Bread

Basbousa -Sweet Semolina Cake: Ramadan Special

Basboussa is a Middle Eastern delicacy. It is an amazing cake; it's moist, sweet, delicately perfumed and has a grainy texture. I have tried this cake at different Middle Eastern restaurants and I was so eager to make it myself. After two failed attempts, my dear friend Kenza came to the rescue and shared with me her Basbousa recipe, which I am , in turn, sharing with you. It is, of course, super easy and exquisitely delicious. This cake could be served with tea or coffee.


Courtesy of Kenza

What Wou'll Need:

1 1/2 cups Semolina
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup sweetned coconut flakes
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup melted butter (cooled to room temperature)
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups almonds or pistachios for garnishing

For the Syrup:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp orange juice
1 Tbsp vanilla extract


What To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (Mixture should be "liquidy")
3. Spary a 13x9 inch pan pan with cooking spray, pour in the mixture
4. Let rise for 45-55 min
5. Sprinkle with almonds and Bake for 50 min or until brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean
6. Meanwhile make sugar syrup: Combine water, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan
7. Bring to a boil, add in vanilla extract, and let it simmer for 20 min
8. Pour hot sugar syrup over cake while is hot and let it absorb. You may put it back in the oven for 3 min

Enjoy!

Basbousa -Sweet Semolina Cake: Ramadan Special