BANANA BREAD- GLUTEN FREE

Going Gluten Free seems to be all the rage right now. You might find that every where you look people are starting to say they are avoiding gluten or they have a gluten allergy. I began to wonder why this was? What exactly is gluten and was it really possible that so many of us have a gluten allergy? Apparently, so. Thousands of Americans suffer from some kind of gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Additionally, gluten is often added to many things like medicine and vitamins casing. Those with Celiac’s Disease, experience a more extreme reaction to gluten . According to the NIH, hose who suffer from Celiac’s disease can’t properly absorb nutrients from their small intestine. Previously, there had never been any cause for concern, but as more people are finding they have a sensitivity to gluten, manufacturer’s are becoming more cognizant of ingredients.

I could go on forever, there have been many published papers and studies regarding gluten. There is no cure for food allergies, save for strictly avoiding those foods that produce an allergic reaction. On the same note, ignoring food allergies can lead to serious health consequences. Sounds a little depressing doesn’t it? Well that is why the internet is so amazing. Previously, people with food allergies were confined to the limited knowledge of their local communities or on the lucky chance they might find the one cook book that addressed their health condition.
To make the prospect of having to cut out so many foods, I have included my recipe for Gluten Free Banana Nut bread below! It’s very easy, especially if you have a Bread Maker. But even if you don’t don’t fret, I am giving baking instructions for a conventional oven as well. It’s gluten free, but I promise no one will really be able to tell the difference. My friends who are on gluten free diet have tried it and have thanked me for this enjoyable bread. Hope you too enjoy it.

You will have to buy gluten free baking and pancake mix. I use Pamela’s Products which are very good and easily available in the super markets like, Fresh Food Market/Whole Food Market. You may check the availability in your area by going on her website www.pamelasproducts.com.

CHEF’s NOTE: It’s very important to have all the ingredients at room temperature.

Ingredients:-

2 ½ cups gluten free baking mix
1 Full egg plus 3 egg whites
1 Large ripe banana.
½ cup chopped unsalted walnuts and roasted, salted cashew nuts together.
1 cup brown/ cane / white sugar.
1/3 cup melted butter/margarine/canola oil.
1 tsp. Baking Powder.
1 tsp. Salt.
½ tsp. Baking Soda.
2 tbsp. milk or water.
1 tsp. Vanilla essence.
1 tsp. Orange essence.

Instructions for Bread Maker:-

Mix all the dry ingredients together with a fork.
Add the remaining ingredients in the order given below to the Bread Maker.

Plug in the Bread Maker. It will show OOO setting. Now add
Mashed banana
Melted butter or margarine or Canola oil
Milk or water
Vanilla and orange essence.

Select Basic setting and press start. Allow to mix for 1 minute.
While it is still getting mixed, add all the dry mixture gradually, 2-3 table spoons at a time until all the mixture is over. Let it mix for another 1-2 minutes. Press stop. With rubber spatula, scrape the sides all around the bread pan and select Bake. Then select dark and set the timer for 1 ½ hr.
When the timer goes on and the signal shows 000, press stop. Test for doneness with the baking pin or if you don’t have it then insert a sharp thin knife in the middle of the bread and immediately pull it out. If the pin or the knife comes out sticky then the bread still needs more time to bake. So again
Select Bake, light baking and the timer for another 10-15 minutes. Recheck for doneness. Press stop and leave the done bread in the opened pan for 5 minutes. Take it out of the pan following the Bread Maker’s instructions and leave it on the rack for cooling for 5 minutes. Cut and enjoy warm or cold as you like.

Instructions for regular oven:-

Set the oven to 350 degree.
Have a square or round 1 ½ lb. baking pan greased and lined up with a butter paper, ready to bake .

Mix all the dry ingredients with a fork in a suitable bowl. In a bigger suitable bowl put the mashed banana and the rest of the liquid ingredients and mix it well with a hand held beater. Add gradually 2-3 tbsp. of the dry mixture at a time and keep mixing until the mixture is over. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared Baking pan and let it settle evenly for 2-3 minutes. Put it in the prepared oven on the middle rack and set the timer for 50 minutes. Insert a wooden stick or knife to check for readiness.

When done let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Take it out and put it on the rack for 5 minutes. Cut and enjoy warm or cold as you like.