Silken tofu contains little flavor, but when used to make banana bread, it provides a smooth, creamy texture. In addition, tofu, made from soybeans, is a rich source of protein. Mix silken tofu with ripe bananas and other ingredients to make moist bread.
Begin With Tofu
Although you can cream regular tofu in a blender, silken tofu is ready to use and has a creamy, smooth texture for making banana bread. To make banana bread, place three-fourths cup of silken tofu in a large mixing bowl. Stir in 1 cup of sugar, along with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and one-fourth cup of oil. While any type of vegetable oil works fine, canola oil is a flavorful, heart-healthy choice.
Ripe Bananas
Extra-ripe bananas have the best flavor for banana bread, because as the banana ripens, the starch converts to sugar. In addition, ripe bananas are smooth and easily blended with other ingredients. If you're ready to make bread and your bananas are still firm, put the bananas in a paper sack with a tomato or apple. In a few hours, the bananas are ripe and ready to use. For banana bread, mash enough bananas to make 1 cup.
Dry Ingredients
Whole-wheat flour gives banana bread a slightly nutty flavor. Whole wheat also provides plenty of healthy dietary fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive system. If you aren't accustomed to the denser texture, combine whole-wheat flour with all-purpose white flour in any proportions you like. Measure 2 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl, and then stir in one-half teaspoon of baking powder, one-half teaspoon of baking soda and one-fourth teaspoon of salt.
Combine the Ingredients
An electric mixer isn't needed to make banana bread. A sturdy wooden spoon or rubber spatula works fine. Add the mashed banana mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. This is the time to add any desired extras such as three-fourths cup of chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds or one-half cup of chocolate or butterscotch chips.
Bake the Bread
To bake banana bread with silken tofu, coat an 8-inch loaf pan lightly with oil. Pour the batter into the pan. Put the pan in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the bread for about one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. Let the bread cool for 10 minutes and then remove it from the pan. Put the bread on a wire rack to cool.
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