I forgot to take pictures. Yes, it's the ultimate no-no for blogging about food. I'm sorry, I was in a rush, it was late and then they were gone. Whisked away to my husband's office. But if I could just describe them for you, just maybe you'll get the picture.
Uh-um...
"They were brown, little squares of soft bread flecked with spices generally reserved for the fall. Allspice, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon. Freshly ground to make that ubiquitous pumpkin pie spice. A beautiful, yellow squash (from a co-worker) finely grated and mixed with slightly over-ripped bananas made the heart of this bread. It was carelessly topped with a homemade mascarpone cheese blended with a bit of sugar and vanilla. Then on top of it all, just to make it more than you should even tempt, where broken bits of walnuts toasted in butter and then salted."
Can you see it? Can you taste it?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I gave you 94, it'll have to do.
26 muffins, adapted from Beard on Bread by James Beard.
1. Butter 2 loaf pans. Line the bottoms with a piece of parchment paper or dust with flour and tap out any excess. Or line 36 muffin tins with wrappers.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (350 degrees for loan pans).
3. Sift all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
4. Make a well in the center then stir in the butter, eggs, rum. Finally mix in the banana, squash and nuts (if using).
5. Bake the muffins 15 - 18 mins or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Bake the loaf pans 1 hour or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Storage: Will keep for about a week, if well-wrapped, at room temperature. Takes well to being frozen, too.
*For 1 cup of nuts, I used about 2 tbl of butter and a generous pinch of salt. I was going for the saltiness of peanuts out of a can. Just heat the butter and nuts over medium heat, tossing frequently for about 5 minutes. Just before pouring out of the pan toss in a few pinches of salt. Let cool before placing on top of bread.
Mascarpone Icing
I made mascarpone (store bought can be used also) and the recipe can be found here: http://www.darcyeden.com/posts/2012/3/4/homemade-mascarpone.html?lastPage=true&postSubmitted=true
Mix mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add 1 tbl at a time of the cream or half and half until you have a spreadable consistency.
Spread on cooled bread and top with nuts.
*This is a very forgiving recipe, use more sugar if you want it sweeter or less if you want it tangier.
Uh-um...
"They were brown, little squares of soft bread flecked with spices generally reserved for the fall. Allspice, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon. Freshly ground to make that ubiquitous pumpkin pie spice. A beautiful, yellow squash (from a co-worker) finely grated and mixed with slightly over-ripped bananas made the heart of this bread. It was carelessly topped with a homemade mascarpone cheese blended with a bit of sugar and vanilla. Then on top of it all, just to make it more than you should even tempt, where broken bits of walnuts toasted in butter and then salted."
Can you see it? Can you taste it?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I gave you 94, it'll have to do.
Even though no picture, I still feel I should share the recipe. Maybe when you make them, you can take a picture and send it to me?
Banana Squash Bread with Mascarpone Icing
- 3½ cups sifted flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup melted unsalted butter and cooled to room temperature
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
- 2/3 cup rum
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- large yellow squash, grated (bananas and squash together equal 15 oz)
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, butter toasted and chopped (optional)*
1. Butter 2 loaf pans. Line the bottoms with a piece of parchment paper or dust with flour and tap out any excess. Or line 36 muffin tins with wrappers.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (350 degrees for loan pans).
3. Sift all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
4. Make a well in the center then stir in the butter, eggs, rum. Finally mix in the banana, squash and nuts (if using).
5. Bake the muffins 15 - 18 mins or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Bake the loaf pans 1 hour or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Storage: Will keep for about a week, if well-wrapped, at room temperature. Takes well to being frozen, too.
*For 1 cup of nuts, I used about 2 tbl of butter and a generous pinch of salt. I was going for the saltiness of peanuts out of a can. Just heat the butter and nuts over medium heat, tossing frequently for about 5 minutes. Just before pouring out of the pan toss in a few pinches of salt. Let cool before placing on top of bread.
Mascarpone Icing
I made mascarpone (store bought can be used also) and the recipe can be found here: http://www.darcyeden.com/posts/2012/3/4/homemade-mascarpone.html?lastPage=true&postSubmitted=true
- 8 oz. mascarpone, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar*
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 - 2 tbl heavy cream or half and half
Mix mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add 1 tbl at a time of the cream or half and half until you have a spreadable consistency.
Spread on cooled bread and top with nuts.
*This is a very forgiving recipe, use more sugar if you want it sweeter or less if you want it tangier.
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