Tag: Paula Deen

Coconut Banana Bread

CarrieLeave a comment

On Saturday, I had some over-ripened bananas around.  Because I was stuck at home waiting for the man who was going to power wash my house to show up, I decided I would make banana bread.  I searched through many cookbooks and decided on Paula Deen’s recipe from her Southern Cooking Bible.  I did make one slight change to her banana bread recipe though.  I replaced the 3/4 cup chopped walnuts with 3/4 cup coconut.  It is the most delicious bread I have ever made.  The edges of the bread are the best part because they are crunchy and soooo scrumptious.

Paula Deen’s Walnut Banana Bread

2 large ripe bananas, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Place a rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350.  Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mash bananas.  Then whisk in sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.  In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.  Using a rubber spatula combine the two mixtures together.  Stir in the walnuts.  Pour the batter into loaf pan and smooth top.

3. Bake until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean, about one hour and 15 minutes.  Let cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.  Then pop bread out of pan and let it cool completely.  Enjoy!

Paula Deen, the Queen of Butter and Cream Cheese

Carrie1 Comment

With all the recent hubbub around Paula, I would like to be able to say how I feel about the situation.  Paula has never told anyone to eat her food every single day of the week.  Every one knows that moderation is key.  She creates recipes that are available as a resource but never told anyone that it is a great idea to make her recipes on a daily basis.  Any intelligent person would know that her recipes should be used for special occasions.

Yes, Paula Deen does have diabetes.  She also admitted on Dr. Oz that she has given in to the bad habit of smoking cigarettes over the years.  Does this make her a terrible woman…no.  It makes her a perfect example of a human being.  No one is perfect.  While she may be overweight and has quite a few vices, she is a strong woman who has overcome many obstacles in her life.  Maybe we should applaud her for those instead of spending time criticizing her.  She never hid the fact that she had diabetes…it’s just not something that comes up in conversation.  Our medical history is our personal information.  If she wants to eat what she eats and take medication that is her decision. I’m not saying it makes sense that she represent a drug company for diabetic medication since she might not be the greatest patient, but after all it was a business decision.  Would you really turn down money for doing something as easy as being a spokeswoman?

In the long run, Paula might have taken a small hit but she will only come out stronger.  Here’s one of my favorite recipes to honor her fantastic contribution to the culinary world.

Paula’s Butter Cake

Cake -1 box yellow cake mix, 1 egg, 1 stick butter (melted)

Filling – 8oz cream cheese, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 stick butter (melted), 16 oz. powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray.

2. Cake…Mix all cake ingredients together. Scrape batter into pan and smooth out.

3. Filling…Beat room temperature cream cheese until smooth with electric mixer.  Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add melted butter and beat.  Add powdered sugar slowly (1/2 cup at a time).  Beat well so it becomes fluffy.  Spread filling on top of cake mixture.  Bake for 40 to 50 minutes.  The center should be gooey.