PB-Coco-Cacao Banana Bread

If you're familiar with my blog, you know I'm a sucker for banana bread. I also love chocolate and coconut together. When I was at the spice market the other day, I picked up some roasted cacao and figured that I would try it in a new banana bread recipe. And OMG is this a good one! I seriously ate half the loaf in a day. And I didn't even feel bad about it because this recipe is sugar and grain free! Yummy! 

PB-Coco-Cacao Banana Bread

Ingredients:

4 very ripe bananas, mashed

4 eggs

1/2 cup creamy coconut peanut butter

4 tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup coconut flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 oz. roasted cacao 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9 x 5 loaf pan. 

2. In large bowl, combine bananas, eggs, oil, butter, and vanilla. Stir until well combined. 

3. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to wet ingredients and mix well. 

4. Pour batter into greased pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle evenly with cacao.

5. Bake 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean. 

6. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before cutting in to slices and enjoying. Bonus points if you top bread with additional nut butter!

DIY Infused Olive Oil

DIY Infused Olive Oil

I have a slight obsession with olive oil. I use it in a lot of my cooking and frying. I think it gives a great flavor to food, without being overpowering. This infused version kicks any recipe one notch. One of my favorite things in the world is good bread dipped in olive oil. Most grocery stores sell infused or flavored oil, but I prefer to make it myself. It is cheaper, and I get to customize the exact flavor I want. I love this super garlicky flavor with a kick of basil, but feel free to experiment with your spices! It's all in the fun! This is also a great home made gift that everyone will love! That is, if it doesn't get gobbled up immediately!

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic 

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1 tsp. sea salt

2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

In airtight container, add all herbs and seasonings. Pour in olive oil. Put lid on container and shake until well combined. Let oil sit at room temperature least 24 hours before consuming. Oil is good for up to two weeks, and will develop more flavor with time. Feel free to customize ingredients to your liking!

5-Minute Pesto

5-Minute Pesto

My garden is in crazy mode! Everything is doing so well this year. With my basil plant going absolutely bizerk, I figured it was a good time to make home made pesto with fresh basil right off the plant. This recipe is super quick and easy. And it turned out delicious! Enjoy this pesto on pasta, pizza, sandwiches, bread and more!

Ingredients:

2 cups basil

1 cup spinach

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup toasted walnuts

1/3 cup olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Salt to taste

Fresh cracked pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.