Banana Bread (with Chocolate Chips)

my favorite banana bread adapted from Betty Crocker

My son and I made a triple batch (we had a lot of ripe bananas) and he enjoyed every minute of it. Okay, he enjoyed the eating and stirring parts the best. I don't keep buttermilk in my fridge. It just breaks the bank around here. So, I make some of my own. add a half of a tablespoon lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the rest up with milk to reach 1/2 cup.  Let sit for 5 milks. Voila. Homemade buttermilk. 

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup margarine softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 medium)

1/2 cup buttermilk (or homemade buttermilk)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Move oven rack to lowest or second to lowest position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of pan of two 8 inch loaf pans or one 9 inch. (or muffin tins)

2. Mix sugar and butter together until well mixed. Add in eggs and stir until well mixed. Add bananas, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix until well blended.  Add flour, soda, and salt until just mixed.  Stir in chocolate chips. Divide between pans

3. Bake muffins 15-20 minutes, 8 inch pan about an hour, 9 inch pan about 1 1/4 hour.  Check doneness by inserting a toothpick until it comes out clean.

4.  Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan onto wire rack and cool completely. Store at room temp for 4 days or in fridge for 10 days.

Bacon Potato Chowder

Bacon Potato Chowder (adapted from cdkitchen.com)

I have seen all over pinterest lately baked potato soup. But I didn't want a soup base. I wanted something oh so creamy. I found it, and then of course made it my own. Also, this is a one pot meal. Here we go:

1 pound bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic minced

4 cups diced potatoes

2 cups water (I used 2 1/2 c.)

1 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

2 cups sour cream

3 cups milk

(optional garnish: cheddar cheese and extra bacon)

In a large pot, cook bacon until brown.  

Add onion and garlic and cook until tender.

Drain.

Add water and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender

Reduce heat to medium low.

Add soup, sour cream, and milk. Mix well.  

Continue cooking and stirring until thoroughly heated.

Melissa