LEMON BANANA STRAIN RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat Oven to 350°F.
• Ovens will lose heat immediately the door is opened.
• A hint for retaining temperature without heat loss when oven door is first opened is to pre-set the oven to about 50° higher than required.
• As soon as pan (s) are put into the oven, close the door and immediately reset to required temperature.
• For BANANA/LEMON SENSATION, set the oven to 400°F and drop down to 350°, at the ready.
• "Prepare" loaf pan in the usual way using a light cooking/baking spray and light dusting of flour.
• Set aside for later use.
• In a small bowl, grate the lemon and set aside (If you have an aversion to lemon, skip this step).
• In a small saucepan, squeeze the fresh lemon half.
• FOR THE LOAF: In a medium-sized bowl, mash bananas well, with a fork.
• In a separate bowl, cream butter or margarine with 1 cup sugar.
• In a separate bowl, beat eggs really well.
• In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, butter mixture, well-beaten eggs.
• Beat again.
• NOTE: If you are using a blender or food processor, please be aware of over-spills.
• Sift together (if you prefer sifting) flour, baking soda and salt.
• (HINT: Because of the lemon sauce, I do not add salt. If you do not use lemon juice, or lemon rind, salt may be added, in the quantity stipulated above) Add banana mixture to flour a quarter at a time, and mix well after each addition, by hand, with a large mixing-spoon.
• Scrape batter down sides of the bowl into the flour and mix well.
• At this point, add the grated lemon peel and mix well.
• You can never mix too much.
• Ingredients must be well-combined prior to baking.
• Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. (my oven requires the full hour).
• Remove from oven and with your cake tester, test for doneness.
• Cake tester should come out clean, with no evidence of batter.
• Using your cake tester, puncture the loaf, all over the top, but not right through.
• While loaf is still hot, carefully spoon the lemon sauce over the surface.
• This will seep into the loaf through the punctures and add flavour to the Banana Loaf.
• Set on cooling rack until the pan can be handled easily, about 1/2 hour.
• Turn the pan over and tap hard on the bottom to loosen the loaf.
• Continue cooling baked loaf, until ready to seal and put away, or serve same day.
• THE LEMON SAUCE: In a small sauce-pan, over medium heat, combine lemon juice and sugar (or other sweetener) Mix continuously and bring to a boil.
• If you have an aversion to lemon, skip this step.

Steps:

• Combine the butter, lemon juice, vanilla, and confectioner's sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add more confectioner's sugar, or lemon juice to adjust the consistency as needed.