[Elerine]

Hey girls

Well, a little question about bananas past their prime. Mum always used them up in Banana Cake, but that seems terribly anti-waistline now Are there any other ways to use them? I hate to throw things out.

Kylie

[phantastica]

Depending on how old they are (not too old), I'd freeze them and use them in a smoothie.

[baffled111]

Yup, freeze them for smoothies. But slice them up first--it makes them much easier to work with.

You can also find recipes for low-fat banana bread and banana muffins. Or, take a regular muffin recipe, use apple-sauce instead of butter and splenda for half the sugar and create your own recipe.

[walking2lose]

I do exactly what phantastica does... when they get brown, I peel and freeze them in ziplocs for smoothies. They are also really good mushed up in pancakes. Thaw them add and mush them with a fork in a bowl... add to pancake mixture... can also add a few nuts. There are several healthy pancake recipes, but I have been trying to stay away from them, as I have a hard time eating just one or two.

[babygrant]

I posted my sugar free banana bread recipe on recipezaar.com It's sooooooooooooo good!!!! I use my overly ripe bananas to make this bread:

http://www.recipezaar.com/192871

[alinnell]

Absolutely not!!!!

I peel mine, cut them into bite sized pieces and freeze them in a ziplock bag. Each day, I take out 1/2 cup and use them in a smoothie or let them thaw slightly and mash them up with a cup of 0% Fage plain yogurt. Oh, so yummy!!

[Bikini Ready]

When bananas get a little too brown to eat alone I put it in oatmeal. Sounds a little weird at frist but it's soooo yummy because it makes the oatmeal really sweet. All you do is cut the banana into chuncks and put it in uncooked oatmeal add the normal water amount and cook in the microwave. The banana gets soft and you can stir it in smoothly. Give it a try! (It's great if you add a little cinnamon and milk too!)

[Mel]

Freeze for smoothies or protein shakes, banana protein muffins, banana-peanut butter-protein fudge (like a home made protein bar).

[BlueToBlue]

You can make banana oatmeal pancakes (this is Charles's recipe for peach oatmeal pancakes, but with a banana instead of canned peaches).

Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
1 banana, mashed (5 oz)
1/2 cup egg beaters
1/4 cup 2% milk (you can also use skim, soy, or 1%)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp flour
2 packets unflavored instant oatmeal
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Ladle batter onto pancake griddle and cook just like normal pancakes. You should get 6 good-sized pancakes.

Nutrition info per pancake: 100 calories, 1g fat (.2g sat. fat), 1mg chol, 180mg sodium, 18g carbs (2g fiber, 8g sugar), 4g protein.

[BlueToBlue]

Mel, what is the recipe for banana-peanut butter-protein fudge? I did try to search for it, but couldn't come up with it.

[Bek]

Mmmmm hmmmmm just what so many others said. I usually buy more bananas than I know we will eat, just to be sure I have some to freeze. DBF makes this very difficult sometimes.

[Elerine]

Thankyou everyone!!!

I really appreciate your suggestions - I am starting to write down any yummjy recipes I come across on 3FC, and those pancakes are definitly added to the list! The banana bread too!

Thanks again, now I don't feel so bad about letting go brown.

Kylie

[phantastica]

I made banana glace once, similar to this recipe:

http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Banana%20glace~

I then pureed some berries and used it as a sauce on top. Very good!