"Yes, we have no bananas...."

Dates, apricots, walnuts, and mashed banana await the magic that will make banana bread.

The banana bread batter as it is ready to put in the oven.

Out of the oven to cool.

Nicely sliced - just had to have a taste!

When NanaDiana posted about Banana Bread the other day, it motivated me to look through my Weight Watcher materials to see if I could find a recipe for Banana Bread there.  Sure enough, in the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook I found one.  Thinking ahead to when we would have company this week-end, I baked it earlier in the week.  Of course, once it was baked and cool enough to slice, we had to try it to see if it would pass inspection.:-)  Then, in order to be sure there would BE some for the week-end, I quickly bagged it and put it in the freezer.  It was well-received this morning!
Here is the recipe.

BANANA BREAD

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
8 dried dates, chopped (I had no whole dried dates available, so I estimated amount of chopped dates).
6 dried apricot halves, chopped (The dried apricots I had available were whole, not half).
1 large egg
1 very ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup fat-free milk

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; spray an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; stir in the walnuts, dates, and apricots.  In a small bowl, beat the egg; add the banana and milk.  Pour over the flour mixture; stir until just blended (do not overmix).
- Transfer to the pan.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.  Cook completely on a rack.
- Servings: 12;  1/12 loaf is a serving.
Critique:  I'm not sure my baking powder worked as it should.  The bread really didn't rise much at all.  It is a dense loaf and toasted well.

Our week-end company has returned home safely.  They didn't have long to stay, but we had a great time, and a few things were accomplished.  Munchomom went home with fabric for a bridesmaid dress, and Little Munchkin with fabric for a flower girl dress.  They will be going to the seamstress very soon!   More on this in the future.:-)

Tomorrow  - "Super" help in the kitchen.