Banana Week; Chocolate Banana Bites

Happy Hump day! It is day three of my little banana week. Hope you aren't sick of bananas yet! Today I have a little sweet snack that would be a great thing to take to a potluck dessert or just to keep in your fridge for a quick sweet bite. 

This recipe could also be used with real chocolate if you are a lucky one and can enjoy dairy. I envy you every day! If you haven't noticed, this week is also about simplicity. Sometimes I get caught up in creating some crazy recipe that I forget how important simple recipes are. It is so helpful to keep simple recipes in the back of your mind so that if someone gives you little to no notice they are dropping in, you are able to throw something together to offer them when they come by. I am all about entertaining! That was one of the deciding factors when we were looking for a house to buy. It had to be a space where we could entertain our friends. 

Hubs and I believe spending time with friends keeps you balanced and happy.  I know your friends would love these bites of deliciousness so go ahead and share some! One thing about this recipe, if I have time, I freeze the bananas to make the bananas easier to handle. 

Chocolate Banana Bites

GF/DF

Ingredients: 

2 medium bananas (frozen if you have time)

1/3 cup DF/GF chocolate chips

1/4 cup GF almond butter

finely chopped pecans

Slice your bananas into 1/4 inch hick pieces.

Add almond butter to half of your banana slices.

Place another slice of banana on top of the almond butter covered pieces.

Melt your chocolate over a double boiler. If you don't' have a double boiler, you can use the microwave but be SUPER careful not to overcook the chocolate. You can also use a glass bowl on top of a pot of boiling water. 

Drizzle chocolate over the banana, almond butter sandwiches. 

While the chocolate is still hot, sprinkle with pecan pieces.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before eating. Store the sandwiches in the fridge.

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife

Banana Week; Banana Chips

It is day two of Banana week. I have a super simple snack that is a little sweet, a little crunchy, and absolutely delicious. It does take a little time to cook these, but worth every minute of it.

I love recipes with super simple ingredients and that is what this week is all about.  Why is it that turning anything into a chip makes it that much better? Add a crunch and I want to eat a whole bag of whatever you will give me. Good thing these are healthy! Just remember, all things in moderation. 

I am semi-embarrased to call this a recipe. It is really a fool proof one. Please note, the bananas won't become crunchy in the oven. They will become a chip consistency once you remove them from the oven and allow them to completely dry on the counter. Enjoy your snack!

Banana Chips

GF/DF

Ingredients:

4 medium bananas

juice of one lemon

What to do:

Preheat your oven to 200°.

Slice you bananas into 1/4 inch slices.

Lay your slices on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Squeeze the juice from your lemon into a small bowl. 

Using a basting brush, brush your banana pieces with lemon juice.

Bake for 2 hours until. 

Allow the bananas to hardened on a drying rack and then store in an air tight container. 

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife 

Banana Week; Banana Nut "Ice Cream"

Today's post makes my mouth water just thinking about it. This dessert has the consistency of ice cream but none of the fat or dairy. I know I am a genius ha okay well not really, but this recipe is amazing! Simple ingredients put together in a new way to create a delicious final product.

Because of this recipe I get to enjoy "ice cream" with my hubs some nights. Don't tell.. sometimes I enjoy it for breakfast too. Adding the pecans in this recipe give it a slight crunch and a little but of a nutty taste. To make this recipe vegan, you can always use agave nectar, but I prefer local honey in this recipe. I have been using local honey a lot lately because Hubs' allergies are going crazy and eating local honey really seems to help him. 

I add lemon juice to this recipe. If you haven't discovered this MInute Maid freshly squeezed lemon juice, oh man listen up! This is straight lemon juice with no additives. It is in our frozen food section and its super helpful when you need large amounts of lemon juice or use lemon juice frequently. We steam whole artichokes a lot and mix butter and lemon juice together as a dipping sauce. Props to my wonderful in-law family for this recipe! 

Now you can truly enjoy dessert with none of the guilt. You're welcome!

Banana Nut "Ice Cream"

GF/DF

Ingredients: 

3 frozen bananas 

3 T honey

1 1/1 T lemon juice 

2 T chopped pecans

What to do:

Add bananas, lemon juice, and honey into a food processor.

Process for about 30 seconds and semi-smooth. You don't want it super creamy at this step because we will be processing it again. The honey sometimes travels to the bottom of the food processor so make sure you scrape it off the bottom and incorporate it nicely into the mixture. 

Add in your pecans and process for another 30 seconds.

Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least an hour before eating. I usually make this a day ahead and let it freeze overnight. If you prefer a super creamy dessert, you can always eat it right away, but I enjoy it better after it has been frozen. 

Grab a spoon and an ice cream scoop!

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife 

Nana Nana Bread

I was out of town over the weekend and came home to several bananas that were past ripeness to enjoy on their own. What does one do with over ripened bananas?? And thats when it hit me, I am going to make dairy free, gluten free banana bread! The perfect snack or quick breakfast for my husband (he leaves the house at 5:00 am)

Gluten and Dairy Free Nana Nana Bread

Ingredients:

2 1/4 Gluten free Flour

1 t Baking Powder

1 t Baking Soda

1/8 t salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup buttery spread

3 ripe bananas smushed with the backside of a spoon

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup milk alternative 

1/4 cup dairy and gluten free chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°

Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar together until combined. 

In a separate bowl, blend the sugar, butter, and milk alternative until creamy.

Add in the beaten eggs and smushed bananas.

Mix with the hand mixer until combined. 

Add the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not over mix!

Butter the loaf pans with your buttery spread.

Pour half of the batter into your buttered loaf dish.

If you want to do one loaf with dairy free chocolate chips, add them into the remaining batter. Pour the batter into another loaf pan. 

Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown. If you insert a toothpick in them middle of the bread, it should come out clean.

Hope you love it!

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife