Friday, August 12, 2011

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Batter:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1tsp. vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, peanut butter and cinnamo0n until crumbly; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened.

Divide half of the batter between two greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans; sprinkle with half of the topping. Top with chocolate chips. Repeat layers of batter and topping.

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

This recipe was really good! Sariah really loved it and ate a lot of it. The only thing I didn't like was I ended with the crumbs so it was really crummy and messy. I can't decide whether to make it again or not. But as I was typing it I thought maybe I will end with the batter next time.

Mediterranean-style Chicken

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup black olives, chopped
1 TBSP Lemon Zest
1 cup finely shredded cheese

Heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover. Cook 5 to 7 min. on each side or until done. Remove chicken from skillet.

Add tomatoes, olives and lemon zest to skillet. Cook 4 min. or until hot, stirring often.

Return chicken to skillet; cook 1 min. or until hot. Top with cheese.

Serve over hot cooked rotini or penne pasta.

I put to much lemon zest in it so no one liked it. I don't think I really liked it overall though.