Banana Pecan Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
4 bananas
3/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
1 tsp of vanilla
1 1/2 sticks of butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup of pecans, chopped
2 eggs

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, roughly smash two bananas and set aside. With an electric mixer, beat two remaining bananas until they are smooth (about 2 minutes on high). Mix in the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, butter and additional bananas. Slowly mix in the flour and baking soda. Fold in the pecans.

Pour into batter into muffin tin. (I pour batter to the top for an extra big muffin top.)

Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Serve warm from the oven or slice open and toast.

Belgium Waffles

My husband loves waffles but he says he always forgets that we have a waffle iron to make them at home. I was in the mood for brinner (that's breakfast for dinner) and decided to treat us both to some delicious waffles and bacon. I used an Emeril Lagasse recipe and sweetened it up a bit.

Ingredients

2 cups cake flour (if you don't have this remove 4 Tbsp from your measurement)
2 teaspoons of baking powder
4 large eggs, separated
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
4 tablespoons of butter, melted
2 cups of milk
non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Heat the waffle iron to medium high.

In a medium bowl sift together flour and baking powder; set aside. In a large bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar until sugar is fully dissolved. Mix in the vanilla, butter and milk. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until combined.

With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on high for about two minutes or until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until thorough incorporated.

Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and pour batter onto iron until just covered. Close iron and cook waffle. Waffle will be done when steams slows to almost a stop (about 4 minutes).

Serve hot with warm butter and syrup or whipped cream and fruit.

The picture above is of a pecan waffle topped with bananas and more pecans. I also made chocolate chip waffles for my husband. Just had your filling before closing the waffle iron.