Friday, July 29, 2011

Firsts and Lasts

Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.-Henry James

This is my last free summer day before I go back to work Monday.  Drinking coffee in my PJ's until 9 a.m. will be reserved for Saturdays from now on. The first day of summer vacation was a celebration!  All those days ahead with no real schedule was a fabulous feeling!  Somehow, I am always ready to go back to school when August rolls around.  I guess it is because I love what I do!  
In honor of my last free Friday, I decided on a banana bread with bittersweet chocolate chips.  I needed just a little chocolate to sooth my nerves!  You just have to try this one!


Chocolate-Pecan Banana Bread
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
A pinch of nutmeg
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup mashed banana
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate
Sift first 6 dry ingredients into mixing bowl.  Add the rest and stir until combined. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.  Mini-loaf pans for 20-25 minutes.