welcome home banana & walnut bread

Let's not pretend. Banana bread is banana cake. Calling it bread tricks us into thinking it is healthier than cake but the ingredients are roughly the same. This applies equally to muffins. But you all knew that already didn't you? :) This story and recipe is of the wholefood cake variety and there is truth that wholefoods are better for you - even the cakes!

Pete had been away for the last couple of weeks in the Northern Territory photographing this year's Garma Festival. We welcomed him home with afternoon tea of homebaked banana and walnut bread and River made a 'banner' for the front door to show him how much we missed him.

It was a big trip for Pete personally as much as professionally because it's been eight years since he had seen his Yolgnu family. He was adopted by his Yoglnu Bapa (father) and Nandi (mother) in 2000 when he recorded 'Yolgnu Mali - Aboriginal Spirit '  his first photographic book about Aboriginal culture. (The book is sold out but the link shows the cover).

I do admire Pete's commitment to recording the stories and wisdom of Australian Indigenous people. There is a lot of misunderstanding and misrepresentation in the media.

We can't wait until next year when we will travel as a family to Arnhem Land. I haven't been to the Territory nor have River and Sol, the exquisiteness of the country and its people from what Pete tells me is like no other.

Perhaps I'll pack a couple of loaves of banana bread for the trip.

Let me know what you think of the recipe. Enjoy it with a cup of chai x

Banana and walnut bread

2 cups white spelt flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup powdered stevia
2 ripe bananas mashed
2 large or 3 small eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
Combine bananas and wet ingredients in another bowl.
Mix wet and dry ingredients together thoroughly.
Pour batter into a loaf tin lined with baking paper.
Bake at 180C for 35-45 minutes.