Recipe: Banana Bread

Banana Bread! One of our guest’s favourite breakfasts on board Nemo. It is delicious when served with fresh tropical fruits and cereals if we are still at anchor. Or serve in thick slices on its own if you have a long sailing day ahead and you need to get underway.

When on charter, I usually make it the day before it’s on the menu. There is nothing like coming back in Dory from a shore visit and smelling the fresh aroma of banana bread wafting around Nemo!

Of course, banana bread tastes delicious warm, but also just as good cold too. And it tastes even yummier when toasted and drizzled with local island, honey. A great recommendation from one of our guests.

Banana Bread Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 very ripe bananas (1 1/2 cups).
• 1/2 cup plain yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/2 cup of salted butter
• 1/2 cup golden granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/4 cup walnuts chopped (optional)

Cooking Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 F | 175 C | Gas 4
• Butter a loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3 inches | 8 cups | 23 x 13 x 8 cm) and line with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients. First sieve the flour, then add sieved baking powder, baking soda and salt
• In another smaller bowl, mix the bananas, yoghurt and lime juice.
• In a third large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Then add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• To this last mixture, you will add 1/2 of the dry ingredients. Alternate with the banana mixture.
• You can also add the chopped walnuts at this stage.
• Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake for 55 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.
• Once cooked, cool down on a rack before slicing the bread. Be careful as it won’t cut well when hot.
• Delicious served cold, warm or toasted with honey.

Galley Tips & Tricks

Are bananas unlucky?

There is a myth that it is unlucky to have bananas on a boat. Whilst we are not believers, you do have to be careful where you store your bananas on a boat, as when they ripen they give off ethene gas which ripens other fruit and vegetables faster. Something you don’t want when you are on a yacht. Outside in a net is the perfect storage spot!

Ripe bananas are the bomb!

For the best banana bread, you need really, really, really ripe bananas. Bananas that have black skin and are soft, are perfect for banana bread, as that is when they are sweetest.

Freeze your bananas

If you don’t have time to make banana bread when your bananas are ready, just freeze them. Take off the skins first, pop in a freezer bag and you are good to go. This is also the perfect way of making sure you always have bananas available!

Why add yoghurt?

Yoghurt in a banana cake? Absolutely! It really makes it so moist. You can also substitute the yoghurt with sour cream or coconut milk, which is readily available in cans, so perfect for storing on a yacht.

Muffins or Bread

Do you prefer individual muffins to full banana bread? Then all you need instead is a large muffin tray. I use a silicone one for ease with six moulds. Just reduce the cooking time to 30 minutes – easy!

We hope you enjoy making this banana bread recipe, it really is yummy. And be sure to check back for more galley guides coming soon!

Bon Appetite! 
Sam
#BlueFootTravel #BananaBread

About BlueFoot Travel
We offer sailing holidays in the Caribbean. Join us on a private yacht and experience an unforgettable by-the-cabin charter. Use our Sailing Trip schedule to book a cabin for your sailing vacation – ideal for solo and single travellers, couples and small groups. Relax and recharge. Enjoy delicious healthy food. Get hands-on sailing experience with an RYA sailing instructor. And, have lots of fun as we sail from one beautiful island to the next. Sail in style with BlueFoot Travel.