Honey Banana Bread

Searching for a banana bread recipe I decided to take the basic recipe and add my own flair with items on hand in my pantry. I discovered that honey flavored yogurt meant I didn't need vanilla and gave the bread a heavenly sweetness. A perfect slice or bread to have with hot tea on a chilly Autumn afternoon. Now, onto pumpkin carving!

Ingredients

• 1 C whole wheat flour
• 1 C all purpose flour
• 2 Tbs wheat germ (optional)
• 3/4  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1 C organic sugar
• 1/4  cup  butter, softened
• 2  large eggs
• 1 1/2  cups  mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
• 1/3  C honey greek style yogurt
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

 Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt.  Beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Let cool.

Portuguese Beans

This recipe was made by my great grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother.  I have recently reworked it to fit my crock pot.  My Portuguese ancestors settled in Santa Clara and surrounding areas after first going through Hawaii from the Azores.  I hope this translates well!

1 pkg. dry pink beans (pinto beans can be substituted. )
1 pkg linquica (portuguese sausage) chorizo could probably be a good sub as well.
1 ham hock with or without bone.  To fit in the crock you may need to cut it into chunks first.
1 yellow onion
1-2 cloves minced garlic
1 15oz can tomato sauce

Add pink beans and 4 cups water to crock pot.
cook beans on high 2 hours, until beans are al dente.
Add remaining ingredients.
Continue cooking on high 4-6 hours.
I have a larger crock pot and everything just fit.  It can still be done on the stove, but I like the idea of being able to just leave it for the day and coming home to a meaty aroma.

This is such a hearty meal!  Perfect for cold weather.  Very comforting.  We always spooned it over a slice of bread, but you could easily put it over rice or potatoes, maybe even cornbread!  It is also just great alone in a bowl as stew.