Bananas are my go-to food when I need to eat but don’t have much time, when I’m hungry but not hungry enough for a full meal, when I’m starving but need to exercise first and finally when I want a bit of decadence. In all these scenarios eating a banana simply does the trick. It really is the perfect mini meal.
An instant energy surge
Bananas are full of natural sugars – glucose, fructose and sucrose and these not only give that much needed instant boost but also release sugars and energy throughout the course of the day.
Great to eat raw…
I think we all have our favourite ‘stage’ to eat a banana. Mine is when there are still slightly green bits on the skin so it’s a little chewy almost. This texture is also perfect for making curries with. Simply add green chillies, ginger, garlic, turmeric and salt to a tin of coconut milk – about a teaspoon of each. simmer for 15 minutes and then chop in the semi ripe bananas.
…and super soft
My daughter always wants to buy bananas that are almost black. She knows this is when they are at their sweetest and mashed into porridge or yoghurt make a great breakfast. Super soft bananas are also perfect for banana breads and cakes. We like to make simple Banana Cupcakes ….
Simple Banana Cupcakes
… and Mini Banana Loaf Cakes loaded with oats for our ‘rushing around’ days.
Mini Banana and Oat Loaves
Ultimately incredibly indulgent!
As healthy as they are, bananas are also a rich source of decadence in our household. Take these Butterscotch Bananas for example. An treat on pavlova or even on some sourdough toast for something more instant.
Chocolate Pavlova with Butterscotch Bananas
I adore bananas, and like you, I prefer them when the skin has a tinge of green to it, and they are firm but not raw inside. I cannot eat them when they are super ripe, though like you, that is the point at which they are best for baking. And for desserts like banoffee pie, I choose ones somewhere in the middle, riper than I’d usually choose to eat them raw but not so ripe they are too squishy to slice. YUM!
Mmmmmmm Banoffee Pie……
They are nature’s perfect convenience food and come in biodegradable wrapping. Freeze them and bung in the food processor for delicious soft serve ice cream! Lovely!
I had forgotten about freezing them. Good idea!
Oh I am definately going to make the banana loaves, just need to get some little tins….
T K Maxx is brilliant for little loaf tins. Or you can buy the disposable paper ones in most UK supermarkets.
Oh I am definately going to make the banana loaves…I just need some small tins!!
I love banana with green bits to eat raw and very ripe to cook… And i love banana sweets…. But Inthink banoffee is my fav! 🙂
I must make a Banoffee dish soon. Have an idea whirring in my head so perhaps if the bunch in the kitchen isn’t gone by the weekend I might have a play
The perfect food. Healthy, delicious and easy transportable!
Indeed. Well unless at the bottom of my daughters PE bag in which case the whole lot goes in the bin!
Your baking looks so good.
Thank you. 🙂
I cannot bear the smell of really ripe bananas, so my preference is to eat them when they are just losing the green and are still firm and don’t smell at all of bananas. A bit strange considering I adore them cooked into cakes and pancakes and with butterscotch sauce! That chocolate pavlova with your butterscotch bananas photo is simply wonderful 🙂
Thank you. I know what you mean about the smell. But I love them mashed up!
I go into a panic once my fruitbowl is devoid of bananas, they’re so useful! I am fairly flexible when I’ll eat them but chop out any bruised bits. My dad eats them black with fruit flies hovering!!!
Oh my that sounds disgusting but that’s when they are best for baking for sure. I just can’t wait that long!