Today I decided to bake banana bread. It’s a staple in my household, and it’s a comforting treat on a winter Sunday. Also, my 3-year-old son loves banana bread.
What makes this recipe vegan is that there are no eggs or dairy and I used whole-wheat flour. The batter is creamy and fluffy, and the baked bread is nourishing, a little moist and flavorful. Sometimes flavors are overpowered by sugar. In lieu of it, I could really taste the banana, cinnamon, subtle maple and textured wheat.
I got this recipe from a book I will reference and share often – ‘The Plant-Based Diet for Beginners’ by Gabriel Miller. I didn’t add walnuts because my son probably would not have liked the bread so much, but by all means add walnuts.
WALNUT CRUNCH BANANA BREAD RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, use a fork or masher to mash the bananas until they have a liquid consistency (small bits of bananas are fine).
- Stir in maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda. Fold in walnut pieces if using.
- Gently pour the batter into a loaf pan, filling it no more than three-quarters of the way full. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Per serving (1/8 loaf): Calories: 178, Total fat: 1g, Carbohydrates: 40g, Fiber 5G, Protein 4g
Maybe you have intentions this year of eating better, or trying a vegetarian or vegan diet. Many people think that less carbs is better, but plant-based physicians say otherwise. By cutting out processed foods and eating whole foods closest to their natural state, you are actually aiding your body in absorbing nutrients and burning fat.
As the author of ‘The Plant-Based Diet’ says, “whole-food diets are lower in calories, higher in fiber, and more conducive to a healthy body weight.” It also provides “many advantages, including better health outcomes for those suffering from heart disease and diabetes.”
So, you don’t have to give up all things you love, like bread, to be healthy. I’ll dive into some other veggie recipes up next.
Plant Life Yogi 