Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Today I am headed to a place that I still on occasion call "home". Yes, my cute little cabin in Fairbanks with Brody, Arrluk, and David is definitely more home than the place where I grew up. It is hard not to slip and say, "I am going home". Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula holds a very special place in my heart. Not only is it the place where I grew up, but I still truly believe it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
It has been 2 1/2 years since I have visited "The Keweenaw" and six since I last lived there. Time flies by so quickly and although time moves so slowly when you are there it seems to move quickly once you move away. Since I was last "home" there have been marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. This Banana Cake recipe is from my friend Miranda who has both been married and had a baby since I was living there. I was living in Denali National Park when I originally requested the recipe and she kindly shared so our baker at the lodge could make it for my birthday. Miranda makes it with Cream Cheese frosting, but I have found over the years that I also enjoy it with Peanut Butter frosting, so I am providing Miranda's recipe for frosting, but you can also find the peanut butter frosting here.  They are both delicious and it really is just a matter of taste which you prefer.
I hope to share some of the highlights of the Keweenaw with you in the next week or so. I hope to find some pasties and thimbleberry jam. Never heard of them? Stay tuned...

Banana Macademia Nut Pancakes

When I was in my early twenties I went through a phase where I wanted to travel the world (ok, I'm still in that phase). I would decide on a place I wanted to go and buy every guide book and search every internet site and plan my whole trip. I would make itineraries, list restaurants I wanted to eat at, and museums to visit. Because I was young and poor (yes, still poor), and spent all my money on travel books I never really was able to go anywhere. With such detailed research I felt like I had already been there, a sort of virtual trip. We only children have very vivid imaginations. When I finally did get around to traveling I discovered I actually did not enjoy having everything so planned out and being restricted to what I found in guidebooks. Plus, it leaves more money for the actual traveling part.
Of all those places I virtually traveled, the one trip that stands out the most is Hawaii. In addition to that beautiful kayak trip along the Napali Coast, I remember reading about a restaurant that served Macadamia Nut pancakes. I never forgot about them, of all the virtual restaurants I have eaten at, that place with the Macadamia Nut Pancakes was the best. Of course I don't remember the name of the place, but I am sure that Macadamia Nut Pancakes wouldn't be too hard to find in Hawaii. These days I take my virtual travels through cooking. Since finding this recipe I don't need to go to Hawaii (yeah right), I can make them in my own kitchen. When you make these, put on your flip flops and just see how hard it is not to hum a little of the Jack Johnson Banana Pancakes song. Enjoy your virtual trip to Hawaii.

Coconut Muffins with Streusel Topping

Wow, the weeks are just flying by. It is the first day of spring! Winter feels like a memory........

Oh sorry, I had to get off the floor from laughing so hard!!
I have really been craving coconut lately. I have been looking at making some coconut cupcakes. Last Saturday morning I really wanted those coconut cupcakes for breakfast. Of course you can't have cupcakes for breakfast, but you can have muffins!! I am a master of the art of dessert for breakfast. I found a lot of recipes for banana muffins topped with toasted coconut. I wanted the Coconut to take center stage. So, when you can't find the recipe you want just make one up...

INGREDIENTS
For Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut flakes
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ripe banana, sliced
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon coconut flavored rum, or coconut extract
1 cup Coconut Milk

For Coconut Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl mix together 1/4 cup coconut flakes, 1/4 cup brown sugar,1 teaspoon cinnamon, and1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 12 cup muffin pan. (You may use paper muffin cups.) In a bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Add 1/2 cup coconut. Mix together. Set aside.
In a bowl using an electric mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add banana, vanilla extract, and coconut rum. Beat in well. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture. Beat until just smooth. Do not over mix. Add the remaining flour mixture alternately with the Coconut Milk. Beat until just incorporated. Do not overbeat or your muffins will be tough. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.
Generously sprinkle with Coconut Streusel, at least one teaspoon per muffin. Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown.

These muffins are great when they are a little warm and fresh out of the oven. So, eat them right away!

Kheeray Ka Raita

Most of our Indian meals these days have been simplified down to Tofu Tikka Masala and Naan bread. If I want to cool it down a bit I usually add a little plain yogurt. Last Sunday we had a special item (see tomorrow's post) to go with our Indian food so I decided to do it up like I used to when I first started cooking Indian food. We had both chicken and tofu in our Tikka and I even made Chickpea Fritters which I will share tomorrow. 

I always enjoy having a nice cooling raita and this one from the Ajanta Cookbook is one of my favorites. This book has a lot of other wonderful Raitas (a banana one is a favorite as well) and Chutneys and when we have company I like to make several different kinds and serve them in these pretty little square canning jars. Since it was just the two of us I only made this cucumber one.

 If you think the rest of your meal may be exceptionally spicy you can eliminate the chili pepper from this recipe as I usually do. If you do not have a food processor you can also finely chop the cucumber, cilantro, and chili pepper. 

Kheeray Ka Raita

adapted from Ajanta Cookbook

2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt

1/2 cucumber seeded and diced

1/2 cup cilantro

1 green chili pepper chopped (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground toasted cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

In the bowl of a food processor add all ingredients and pulse for 10-15 seconds. Transfer to storage or serving bowl and store in refrigerator until ready to serve. You may sprinkle a little additional paprika and cumin on top when serving. 




Tomorrow:

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ok, so I was going to post something entirely different today, but then I read Rebecca's post about too many bananas and I couldn't help but think that somehow we live on the same cosmic plane. It was only a few days ago that I had the same banana problem and made these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. If I had only know I could have sent the recipe in a parcel I mailed just a few days ago. Unfortunately, I will not share the recipe here on my blog as yes, yes it is from that cookbook. You know the one that I won't share any recipes from because I am afraid if I posted every recipe I have made so far they would sue my butt.

Back to Rebecca...we originally met (via blog) last fall during the Jammin' Jelly Exchange. She sent me some lovely preserves which you can find on her blog and mine. Then as though it was fate, I was chosen to send to Rebecca for the Cookie Exchange. I had so much fun putting together her package. The only problem was her blog was private so I was never able to share all the links with the blogging community until.... Rebecca went live! Yes, her blog is now public and that means I get to add her to my blogroll and see each post as it is updated, so I know right away when she has made banana muffins. All of you in the Jammin' Jelly Exchange will be very jealous when you find out about the little winter preserve swap Rebecca and I just did on the side. I can't even believe my luck when she agreed to it. I'll give you a little hint... I was very jealous of this and this, so I proposed a swap for a little of this.

We have found through our correspondence that we have even more in common and now we both have banana trouble...