Banana bread a la Nippon

I'm going to dedicate this entry to my baking endeavors. So far I have made a cheeseburger and now banana bread. My cravings drove me crazy because in the summer Dad makes killer burgers and we have them about once a week, and it's summer... so where are my burgers!? Last week I made sure I tracked down everything I needed: burger seasoning--check, pickles--check, cheese--check, ground beef--check. I already had ketchup and mustard so I was set to go. I laughed at the pickles I found though. I gave up searching and asked a grocery store lady only to find the one jar of baby pickles in the store. Oh well! I just sliced them up! Then I made the best burger this side of Europe. It was difficult to find a bun because all the bread is usually geared towards sweetness, or sliced bread looks like great French toast, but not for a burger. I buy English muffins so that was as close as I could get. Anyway, it still tasted to die for!

But Casey, don't they make burgers in Japan? Why sure! They just shouldn't be called that. They should be called ground sirloin, or patties, because where's the bun and dressings my friend? No where! That is an improper burger--Improper usage of the bun, foul!!!

Today I finally made banana bread. I'd been waiting for the bananas to go brown but just couldn't stand it anymore. I had everything, including the time. I found a recipe that was low fat and I thought I'd give it a try. Although it called for applesauce instead of butter, and applesauce doesn't exists in Japan. Go figure. So I bought an apple for $2, yes, one apple. It's huge and comes with a fruit cushion it's so shmancy. Ugh. I'd take a bag of grade B- apples, half the size! But first I had to make the applesauce.

1. Cut up the apples, boil in 3 tablespoons of cinnamon, sugar and water for 15 minutes.

My "oven." It cooks in Celsius.

By the end, they were like potatoes waiting to be mashed they were so soft--excellent. It made about a cup and then some (I used half an apple. HALF! But it was a beast). Then I set to making the bread! I had to improvise the pan for a square one so once it was all mixed and ready to go, I watched it carefully and put sugar and cinnamon on top for a little crust. Instead of 45-50 minutes, it was done after 15-20 and smelled like heaven! Afterwards I went to the store and bought some half the fat butter so I can slather it on without the guilt and dived in. Well, all my alterations were great!!! This is amazing!

It's soft and most, banana-y, nutty, a little hint of spice, and to think, there isn't much fat (how much is in an egg white x 2?). And it feels even more amazing to make it all by hand. Who would have known that applesauce would be just as good as butter for moistness? I didn't. And I still have stuff to make a second batch now. Of course it's the most expensive to start, the next will be cheaper. :) I can't wait to share it with Keigo who works at the bakery. He said he wanted to try it after I told him my mission at the beach two weeks ago. Japanese haven't heard of banana bread so I will be happy to share the American goodness! YUM!