Banana Bread

I've been asked multiple times about my recipe for Banana Bread. SO here it is!
The secret to it being so moist is sour cream!

Banana Bread
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 ripe bananas)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bottom only of a loaf pan (or use 3 small loaf pans). In a large bowl, beat together sugar and oil. Add eggs, bananas, sour cream and vanilla; blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes (about 40 minutes for smaller loaf pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator. Makes 1 loaf.

Cashew Coconut Granola

This granola is so good! I'm usually not a huge fan of Granola BUT, I could eat this for breakfast every day! I made this last week after my husband ask me to make something healthy he could take to work to snack on.
Well, I made it on Thursday and Unfortunately a DOUBLE batch was gone by Saturday.
I did take some to my moms and neighbors and he took some to work but, I have no idea how it was gone that fast! I don't think i'll ever be able to eat any other type of granola ever again! Give it a try! I think you'll be surprised!

*Makes about 7 cups of granola

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut and brown sugar. In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine maple syrup, oil and salt. Combine both mixtures by slowly pouring the liquid over the oatmeal mixture and stirring well. Divide in half and pour onto two 11X17-inch rimmed baking sheets, spreading out into an even layer on each sheet. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and transfer into a large bowl, slightly breaking up the clumps. Add the raisins and gently mix until even distributed.

Notes**
Nuts like Cashews and Almonds can tend to get pricey. The best deal i've found on these are at Winco where they sell them in Bulk by the pound. It may be a little out of the way but I think you'll save yourself alot of money by giving Winco a chance!

Perfect boiled eggs/ Deviled Eggs

I'm not sure if its a southern thing but, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner was not complete without Deviled eggs. One year my mom assigned my grandmother to bring them. She decided it wasn't necessary and our family and entire dinner almost fell apart. Lets just say that was a sad day in our household.
I don't know about you but, Its very easy to boil eggs and then after cutting them open you realize that you've cooked them to long because they have that little green ng around the yoke. (thats actually not supposed to happen when they are cooked to perfection)
Here is a perfect way to ensure you'll have perfect boiled eggs every time whether its for Deviled eggs or not!

eggs (use eggs that are at least 3 days old.. if they are really fresh they don't turn out as good)
1 tsp. Kosher salt
water

Fill a pot with COLD water. Add eggs (making sure there is just a single layer on the bottom of the pot) and salt. Bring water to a boil. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to medium and boil for about 3-5 minutes (no longer than 5 minutes). Cover pot and remove from heat. Let sit another 10-12 minutes. Strain water from pot and run COLD water over the eggs until the eggs are cool to the touch. Strain excess water from eggs and peel OR refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Now that you know how to make hard boiled eggs, deviled eggs will be easy.

6 hard boiled eggs
2 Tbsp. Miracle Whip
1 1/2 tsp. mustard
salt and pepper to taste
paprika

Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Remove and mash yolks with mayo, mustard, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Scoop a little of the mixture and stuff inside egg whites (if you want to be fancy you can put the mashed up yolks in a plastic bag, snip off the end and pipe the yolks into the egg white... or if you want to be really fancy you can use a cake decorating bag and put on a large star-tip). Sprinkle with paprika and serve!