A "Healthier" Banana Bread Recipe

Hi Friends!

I know I don't usually share recipes on here, but I've adapted my own version of this "healthier" banana bread today and need to write it down...so I thought I'd share it here!

The reason it's "healthier" is because it includes NO BUTTER OR OIL! I've substituted Greek yogurt and added pecans and dried cranberries for some antioxidants and a bit of fiber. 

I know, it's kind of a stretch to call this a healthy dish but it could be worse!!

Here it is!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 large over-ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Crumble

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon flour

Directions

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl
2. Mix brown sugar, bananas, eggs, vanilla extract and yogurt in a separate bowl
3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
4. Stir in pecans and cranberries
5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until golden brown, about 50 minutes
7. Mix ingredients for crumble and spread on top of bread and continue to bake for 10 minutes. You'll know it's done when you stick a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean

Let me know how you like it!

xoxo

Coffee + Food

I cannot believe I haven't posted on here since JULY! Life has really gotten in the way, but I'M BACK! A couple months ago I discovered the best breakfast sandwich in the whole world. It's walking distance from my apartment so Andy and I have made a tradition of going every Friday and splitting a sandwich and some fruit. They also have delicious coffee. Sadly I will be moving next week and so our tradition will end but we'll definitely be back as often as possible cause this sandy is to die for!
Here's what's inside: arugula, egg, prosciutto and gruyere cheese  or the veggie version with tomato and egg
The bread is toasty and light...my mouth is watering...

Coffee + Food
5630 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038

www.coffeeplusfood.com

Red Hill

I think this is the best breakfast dish I have ever eaten. It's so creative, hearty and delicious I couldn't wait to share it with all of you. It's a spin on the classic eggs benedict. It's a homemade yam biscuit with eggs, thick cut bacon, avocado, tomato, pickled cabbage and chile mole! Paired with a side of potatoes  this dish is perfection. Go eat it and tell me how you like it!
PS- Apparently their omelette of fresh market veggies is fantastic too...but I wanna go back and have their gluten free LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES! YESSSSS PLEASE!

Red Hill Restaurant
1325 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.redhillrestaurant.com

ENJOY!

I know Los Olivos is a 2 hour drive from LA but these cupcakes are TOALLY worth the drive. My friend Kate recently moved to NYC but before she left she wanted to check this place off her bucket list. We took a little girls day trip out to eat Enjoy cupcakes and boy were they outstanding! They change the menu weekly but with flavors like Chocolate Blackberry Syrah and Mango Raspberry Chardonnay you can't go wrong! You can also have them cater an event for you and they'll bring their adorable pink vintage airstream! It's all just too cute. Oh, and on our way home we stopped at a lavender farm. What a glorious day.

Enjoy Cupcakes

2971 Grand Avenue 

Los Olivos, Ca 93441   (in the Saarloos & Sons tasting "house") 

www.enjoycupcakes.com

www.enjoycupcakes.com

Roscoe's

In 1975 the genius of chicken and waffles was introduced to Los Angeles and since then this place has been a landmark. People all across the country know about Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles and for good reason. It's delicious and almost more importantly FUN! You can't help but smile eating down-home cooking like this. Some of my fave people from the production of RENT I did last year and I got together for a little fun catch-up lunch and we had a blast. Can't wait for us 4 to do this again! I love my friends. (and waffles)

Roscoe's 

1518 N Gower St
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 466-7453

www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com

Square One

A neighborhood fave for brunch is Square One. With an organic and locally grown menu you can't go wrong here. All the food is filling, fresh and delish! I would recommend trying their brioche french toast with a large Intelligentsia coffee and maybe a side of these cheddar bacon grits. It gets pretty busy here on the weekends so be ready to wait for a table. Worth the wait though!
PS- We're dressed up cause we just came from a wedding. We're not always so fancy. 


Square One
4854 Fountain Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.661.1390
www.squareonedining.com

KTCHN105

delicious bread with strawberry syrup

brie grits

with berry compote topped with apple and bourbon cherry granola

house cured corn beef hash and 2 fried eggs

trout n eggs

bacon sandwich with roasted corn mayo

runny egg ...mmmm

BRUNH CLUB! Andy, Ryan and I try to get brunch together at least once a week and this week Ryan chose the spot, KTCHN105. This is not just a restaurant, it's also a cooking school, can be rented out for private dinner parities, private tastings and even catering. They only serve food to the public for weekend brunch so it's essential to have a reservation. It's in a random downtown location but the food was delicious and worth the drive. You could tell these people really care about their food. The brie grits were TO DIE FOR. I've never had anything like this and I'd eat it regularly if I knew how to make them! And the corn beef hash was incredible. I can't wait to go back here!

KTCHN105

1250 Long Beach Ave

Los Angeles CA 90021

213-908-2646

www.ktchn105.com