Receta Carl's Mom's Banana Bread

by Penny Martin

I love to bake. In these times of Covid-19 and staying inside and isolated, I have been baking quite a bit! It is therapeutic to create something you and others can enjoy plus the smell of fresh baked bread, cookies cakes etc is usually so wonderful- you feel happier! One of the best things about baking  are the memories that we have of our mom's or dad's baking or our grandmothers, aunts etc.  Granted some of them weren't the best but they sure are memorable!  And yes my dad did bake.  He baked bread,  after my mom (Sadie)  passed away to have at our  Friday night dinners to keep the tradition alive. So in these times of isolation, there is something very comforting in going back to some of those recipes that remind us of their presence and happier times. When I was talking to my friend Carl (Carlos to me!)  the other day, he said he was going to bake his mom's banana bread.  He didn't have a pan though, so was going to get one...eventually. I am not sure his bananas will survive.  I happened to have some bananas and decided to make Carl's mom's recipe. Carl's Dad and Mom (Mother Hen) Eric and Carl I am sure her banana bread was better...but I still think she would be happy that I made one for Carl and of course Eric too! Dan and I took a drive over to their place and left it on their doorknob (yes we are keeping our distance) ... Hope you enjoyed it Carl and Eric and it gave you some memories of your mom, your Mother Hen. Here's the recipe that Carl gave me: 1 Cup butter 3 eggs 3 cups flour 1 Tsp Baking soda 1/3 Cup Sour milk 2 1/4 cups white sugar (I think) 1 1/2 cups Mashed bananas 1 Tsp salt 1 Tsp Baking Powder 1 Tsp Vanilla Note: you can use Buttermilk instead of sour milk.  If you want to make your own sour milk Here is how.... To make  1 cup of sour milk put 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a measuring cup and fill it up with milk until you get to the 1 cup mark. Give it a stir. I recommend using whole milk or 2% milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so it can become soured and it’s ready to use. This recipe only uses 1/3 cup. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs  and vanilla, then add the remaining ingredients. Divide the batter into the 2 loaf pans and bake for 1 hour. Thought you would also get a chuckle at the following video of Carl's mom baking a christmas giant cookie! Until we bake again Stay healthy and wash your hands! Penny