Banana Walnut + Muffins

I am so baffled as to when the school actually starts in the fall.  Some of my friends have already sent their kids to school and I still have about two weeks to enjoy this summer.  This has also got me thinking about school and mainly that I will not be ready for it when it starts.  For those early mornings, cranky kids, constant hurry to get out of the house on  time.  That is why I decided that on Sundays I will bake, hopefully with the help of the kiddos.  I will bake something that will fulfill the requirement of grab and go lunch or after school snack.  Something that can be described as fast food but can in fact be semi nutritious, or very nutritious if you compare it to regular fast food.

Take for example Banana Walnut Muffins with slow releasing carbohydrates and protein from the nuts.  That should get your kids proper energy till their first snack or lunch.

To make them gather: 2 bananas, 1 cup of flour, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, 1/3 cup of sugar, 3 tbs unsalted butter (melted), 3/4 cup walnuts (pecans work well also)

Note: Since it is rare that something like a plain Banana Walnut Muffin is ever made in this house you can also add: raisins, cranberries, dried apricots, coconut, pineapple, chocolate, pine nuts, dried cherries

Over a large bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt

If you decided to buy the nuts whole, place in a ziplock and pound with meat pounder, soda can, rolling pin, anything or everything that is sturdy

mash the bananas and butter together.  If the bananas are not fully ripen place in the microwave for a few seconds.

add sugar and mix well

add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing.  Mix it by hand no special equipment needed, just a spoon.

add the flour mixture

and nuts, pour into lined muffin pan, this recipe makes 10 large muffins

Now as I have mentioned nothing is ever basic here so to my batch I added dried pineapple and coconut about 3 tbs.  I left 6 muffins plain for my tween who is at times not willing to venture out into my culinary abyss.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve by themselves with butter, jam or nutella.  Either way it is a healthy on the go snack.  To find more quick and fulfilling treats for your kids click on the weekend baking category on the left or try some of these favorites:

Oatmeal, Raspberry and Pear Cake- by far my favorite, oatmeal brow sugar and fresh fruit, beats anything at Starbucks

Blueberry Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Topping- on the go, go, go snack

Coconut Bread- great with jam or peanut butter

Oatmeal Plus Cookies- oatmeal, brown sugar, dried fruit and chocolate- so much better then oatmeal in a bowl

I am linking here this week so please visit these amazing sites: girlchef, Health Food Lover, Beth Stedman, Rendering Lard, Frugality and Crunchiness with Christy, Little bit of Spain in Iowa, A Moderate Life