Tag: ripe bananas

Money Saving Tip: Go Bananas!

Today’s money saving tip is all about Bananas and how buying them can save you lots of money AND give you a yummy treat!

My #1 Reason why I you should buy bananas: PRICE! This bunch of bananas, 8 large ones, cost $1.40. Even though that is far more expensive than they used to be, bananas are one of the best values in the produce apartment.

That is just 17 cents per banana!

As compared to:

Bag of Chips $1.00

Fast Food Burger $3.00

Doughnut .99

Cup of Yogurt $1.00

Fast Food Fries $2.00

By eating a banana as a snack just once a day, you could easily save close to $10 or more per week PER PERSON.

You’d fill up a whole lot faster on a banana, save a ton of money, and likely feel better too!

What I love about them:

*Convenient – Bananas are a fast grab food at our house. I always have some sitting on the counter and if someone needs a snack or a last minute breakfast on the way out the door, they grab one. When I’m going to be gone for the day and my schedule is unpredictable, I toss one in my purse. There is no telling how many times a banana has been my lunch while I was out and about!

*Filling – Unlike a lot of snacks that just leave you hungry, bananas are very filling and a better replacement for lunch than a bag of chips or some of the other options out there.

*Good For You – Bananas are low in fat, high in fiber, potassium, complex carbohydrates, and a low glycemic fruit.

*Delicious – Bananas taste good!

*AND They never have to go to waste!

They Freeze Well: Take ripe bananas, peel them, moosh them up with a fork, and immediately place in plastic zipper seal bags. Squeeze the air out, flatten, seal, and freeze. I write on the outside of the bag how many bananas I put in there to make them easier to use. These can be thawed for just a few minutes and then added to any recipe calling for mashed bananas (like Banana bread , banana crumb cake, or the smoothies below).

Bake Your Favorite Recipes! If you buy them and find that they aren’t being used, get to cooking!

Here are some of my favorite banana recipes:

BUT most importantly, Bananas are a great snack because…

You get to do this!

So go ahead, Go BANANAS!

Skinny Banana Cookies

I discovered the healthiest cookie recipe, ever! The other day during my lunch break, my friends and I were sitting in the cafeteria chatting about “healthy recipes”. One of the girls told me she makes banana cookies with only two ingredients: bananas and oats. I was really surprised that you could make a good tasting cookie out of just two ingredients, and especially without BUTTER! I had to try these for myself…so, here you go. She was right. These banana cookies are only made with ripe bananas, pecans and oats, and I drizzled a little chocolate on top. There is no butter, no sugar, no flour…just bananas, pecans and oats (I guess that makes them vegan)!! You have to try these. They have a really strong banana flavor, which I love! Finally, a healthy low-fat cookie that actually tastes good. You can even eat these for breakfast!

I am looking forward to the three day weekend. No plans yet, but just the fact that I get to sleep in is amazing. Off for a run, it’s been way too long!

5.0 from 2 reviews

Skinny Banana Cookies

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total

20 mins

Type: Dessert

Serves: 12

Ingredients

1½ ripe bananas
1 cup oats
¼ cup pecans
¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Add oats, pecans and bananas to a blender.
Pulse a few times, leaving some whole oats for texture.
Mix the batter with a spoon so it is even.
Use a teaspoon to drop balls of dough on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl 30 seconds at a time until melted, then transfer with a spoon to a plastic baggy with a hole cut in the corner.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.

Makes 12 cookies

3.2.2265

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Share and Enjoy

CARAMEL BANANA CREAM TIRAMISU

I love tiramisu but often have a hard time locating ladyfingers, the dry cookies generally used in tiramisu. Graham crackers are a simple, inexpensive alternative and the end result is almost cake-like. This dessert comes together so fast and is pretty enough to serve to guests!

Caramel Banana Cream Tiramisu
Simplified from this recipe on Allrecipes.com

1 cup Caramel dip or ice cream topping
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant banana pudding
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 8 oz container whipped topping
1 1/2 sleeves of graham crackers
2-4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced { I ended up using 4 small bananas}
Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling on top

Directions
Combine pudding mix and cold milk in a medium bowl and whisk to thicken. Add in 1/3 cup caramel topping and sour cream and whisk to combine. Fold in the container of whipped topping.

Arrange a layer of graham crackers to the bottom of an 8×11 dish. Top with 1/3 cup of caramel topping.

Layer bananas over the top of the caramel. Then spread 1/2 of the cream mixture on top of the bananas.

Then repeat the layers- graham crackers, caramel, bananas and ending with the cream.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top and put dessert in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.

Serve with additional bananas on top, as well as a drizzle of caramel.

To Freeze or Not to Freeze: The dessert is delicious served straight from the fridge after it’s been able to sit for a few hours. However I also loved it when it was partially frozen! I found it easier to serve and loved how it almost tasted like it had ice cream in it. I suggest refrigerating it, then putting it in the freezer for about an hour prior to serving. Then cut and serve with bananas and a drizzle of caramel on top.

If you don’t have an 8×11 dish: You can use an 8×8 square dish, just make 3 layers instead of 2 layers.

ENJOY!

Chef Gordon Ramsay Recipes