Thursday, April 14, 2011

oh spring... you make my heart sing

He usually doesn't talk to me.  All he does is smile very briefly and walks away.  But today, my neighbor of 3 years said:

 Such a beautiful day isn't it?

I paused.  I looked around me to check whether he was indeed talking to me.  But yeah I was the only one around... my heart skipped.  This was one of the rare occasions I have heard him speak... ahh the magic of spring!

There's so many things to love about spring. Shimmering hues of yellow, radiant red and royal lavender petals blanket the yards and the rows of flower beds surrounding my neighborhood.  The subtleness of the rays of the sun giving you that warm feeling and making you glow signals only one thing - Spring is here!  And oh how it makes my heart sing!

And so today, even if I was out the whole day, running errands and driving around for my son, I came home still so giddy and happy, singing like the bird chirping outside my window. As I saw the over-riped bananas on my kitchen counter looking sad and limp, I instantly got my mixing bowl and mashed the bananas, quickly turning them into a quick bread recipe: banana nut bread with nutella ganache. My son and I immediately enjoyed this bread for our mid afternoon snacks.


Banana Nut Mini with Nutella Ganache 


Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup sugar
1tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice
3 large bananas
1 cup milk
1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Directions:

Pre-heat oven at 350 F.

Grease pan with butter.

In a mixing bowl,  mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder.  Add in salt and sugar.

In another bowl, mash the bananas.  Pour in the milk and beat the eggs.  Add the flour mixture little by little.  Add vinegar and mix thoroughly.

Bake for about 30 - 40 minutes. Let it cool.





For the Ganache:

2/3 c nutella hazelnut spread
2 tbsp butter
In a  pan melt the butter.  Stir in the nutella.  Add a pinch of salt (this is optional)




Pour it over the minis and sprinkle crushed roasted nuts over it.  Enjoy!

20 comments:

  1. Nutella! Ah one of my favorite things...along with banana bread. The best way to make use of those overripe bananas (which I have much too often!). Must try a Nutella ganache next time!

    It is summer over here and it is also putting a spring in my step! Enjoy your lovely Spring :)

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  2. Spring in California is always nice. That Banana Nut mini looks very delicious Malou. I am just disappointed with the size. Gotta be bigger portion for me. LOL! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  3. Banana and Nutella? How perfect together! I would have been singing, too, at the prospect of having these with tea. :-)

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  4. Gosh, if this doesn't make your afternoon any sunnier, I don't know what will!

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  5. Chicajo: Twas definitely a perfect pair... and yes the over ripe the banana is the better.

    Ray: portion control,that's what it is haha.

    Jean: My son had it with milk while I had it with tea... It was definitely BLISS!

    Liren: Hello great to see you! Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Hi Malou! These look so yummy... The size is perfect for my big mouth. :-D I can eat these non-stop. Your day sounds like you had early Friday. Have a great weekend Malou!

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  7. This is a beautiful post- so yummy looking. Love the mini bread loaves- too cute! I'm passing on a bunch of awards to you- see
    http://homestyleworldcook.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-awards.html. Have a great day!

    http://homestyleworldcook.blogspot.com

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  8. Love your blog....dessert looks so delich.... Nutella is magic:)
    I made few goodies too:)
    https://mywanderingspoon.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/manhattan-beach-farmers-market-homemade-carrot-soup-kumquats-bagel-shop/

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  9. Hi Malou, I stopped by to visit your blog and say thank you for the FB friend request. Besides your food recipes and photos you also have a great writing style. I love stories and I really like the one of the man who greeted you. Yes, Spring has a way of thawing out the Winter in our hearts, doesn't it? I also write a blog about food, recipes and relationships all told through stories. Please stop by and visit. Maybe Follow, if you like. Ciao!

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  10. Beautiful and tasty. You just can't go wrong with Nutella.

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  11. oh lovely post weird that he never talks I thought anyone would talk to you :-) and send one of these my way thanks for the kind comment on social media Malou can I add to my list ?

    hugs Rebecca

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  12. Nami:that's what spring brings, happy thoughts, happy mood, just HAPPY-ness!

    sarah: thank you for the award... I am honored and thrilled to accept them. thank you so much!

    wandering spoon: thanks for stopping by. I love your blog too. Great to meet you!

    Mario: I just came from your blog, i love your stories and your food. great to meet you as well.

    Reb: definitely you could use my testimonial too. You are just amazing... thanks again for the help.

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  13. Rose: thank you again. I hope to see you more and read more of your posts too.

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  14. Spring definitely brings out the happiness in people. So does nutella. I would tell you to bring him some of these but his mouth would probably be too full for him to talk, so it would defeat the purpose.

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  15. Hi Malou, I wanted to say thanks for the visit to my blog. And I always appreciate comment, too. So again thanks. i just posted a new article on my blog. Stop back by when you get a chance. Thanks

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  16. You have such a wonderful blog! Spring is the most wonderful time of the year! Yay!

    These dessert rolls sound delightful and look so lovely! I love Nutella...I'm just eating these up with my eyes! :)

    xx,
    Tammy

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  17. Love the nutella ganache! So clever of your to come up this! I've recently discovered a spread that had peanut butter and chocolate in it. It was divine! I bet I can use that too for the ganache. You really are a genius in the kitchen!

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  18. MMM!!! We have recently discovered how nicely banana and nutella go together... nicely done!!! These are a must try!

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  19. oo these sound over the top delicious!

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