"No-flour" Banana Bread........for Steve

I read a post from my friend Steve, talking about people not reading the instructions when using new stuff or even in recipes.  His comment was about a Banana Bread Recipe that he had printed and read a review, where someone asked if it had flour in it......Steve said he looked at his printed copy and it said flour and how much to use.

Started me thinking about my favorite recipe for this bread and it doesn't use flour, it uses baking mix.  It's got such a good taste and it's made in one bowl.

Here you go Steve, now you actually have one, that doesn't use flour.....

Baking Mix Banana Nut Bread 

1-1/3 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 large - I usually use 3)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
3 tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2-2/3 cups baking mix
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom of a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

2.  Stir bananas, sugar, milk, oil, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl.  Stir in baking mix and nuts.  Pour into prepared loaf pan.

3.  Bake 50 to 60 mins. or until toothpick inserted in center, comes out clean; cool 10 mins.  Loosen sides of loaf pan; remove from pan and place top side up on wire cooling rack.  Cool completely.  

This freezes really well.

Also, as you can see, I used parchment paper to line the loaf pan.  Outside might not be pretty, but so much easier to remove and less cleanup.

There is no "I" in team.....

That could have not been truer, last night.

Like many other VFW and Legion Posts throughout the country, getting "active" members is a hard thing to do.  Using us as an example, the average age of our active members is like 60+.  A few in their 80's.  We have had many pass away, some have moved and some are working and not available to do much. 

Last night, we did our 1st Steak Night - I have heard, that we used to do it before, but not since I have been a member there.  It was so unbelievable seeing everyone doing something to make the night so successful.  Tony, Randy and Dennis manning the grill. Kim and Keith had been there pretty much all day, cleaning up from BINGO with the help from Jerry, cleaning the canteen and helping with the tables.  Pat decorated, Kay bought some dessert and we all chipped in, doing the dishes......yes, we used real plates and silverware.........no plastic for this meal.  Kim manned the stove/oven, which had the baked tators, corn and green beans.  She was a busy little beaver!!!

Troy, our guy that does the Old School Jazz night, brought his equipment so we had music while we ate.

Thanks to the wonders of social media, we got the word out and I know of at least 3 who came because of my post....Keith, Jay and John.  Three of my motorcycle buddies.

The Commander from another Post and his wife, who is the Aux. President of the 3rd District came and brought 2 friends with them.  Thanks Jack and Mary.  We had a guy who donated all the salad mix - and thanks Dennis for the salad you made - Lillian really liked it.  Kim and Keith have a couple of friends, Val and Richard.  Val has a hair salon near the Post - Hairbadasher - neither are members but they are always there for us.  Whether it is a Saturday Breakfast, a Poker Run or just coming in to say hi and watch the game.

I don't have the exact numbers, but we raised over a thousand dollars and had 40+ people attend.  My thanks to you all!!!  The extra donations were greatly appreciated.  Looked like a pretty good bar night, too.

Next thing we are going to try is opening back up at 1 on Sunday, for football.  We'll have some food or snacks.  For those of you that don't know, we do have 3 TVs, so you should be able to find a game you want to watch.  You will get stuck with me, as I promised the Commander, if we went back to opening at 1, I would be there on Sundays.  Already been looking for good football snacks to serve.....Sloppy Joes, homemade Queso, BBQ Chicken Sliders and some Chili, once it gets below 90:).  I think there is going to be another in-door yard sale, too.

I could sit here and mention everybody who contributed in one way or the other, but I know I will forget someone, and in this case, I don't want to take that chance.  Last night was too important and it showed by the way we all worked together.  We all knew what it meant to all of us.

Keep re-reading this and I can tell it's not my regular type of post.  Not much "ha ha" and "hee hee".

Well, dear readers, guess that's it for now.  As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE!