Lunch: Banana-Walnut Bread with Flax

Recipe by Emily Farris A from-scratch quick bread with flax seed meal and walnuts is a great way to use overripe bananas.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health benefits of Banana-Walnut Bread with Flax

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
3 over-ripe bananas
1/2 c. flax meal (see Note)
1/2 c. walnut pieces
1/4 c. flax seeds

Instructions

In a large bowl, sift together the baking soda and salt, and set aside. In a large measuring cup, whisk the eggs and vanilla and set aside. Butter a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, until it starts to become light and fluffy. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the butter, while mixing, until all of the ingredients are incorporated. Slowly add the bananas, while mixing on low, then remove the bowl from the mixer.
With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the flax meal, walnuts, and flax seeds, reserving a few of the nuts and seeds. Transfer the batter to the pan, and sprinkle the remaining walnuts and flax seeds on top of the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 40 to 55 minutes depending on your oven.
Cool the bread in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn the bread out of the pan to let it cool completely on a rack or towel, and store in an air-tight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. Looking for more healthy recipes? Check out our collections of low-fat recipes, healthy recipes for the whole day, and vegan recipes.

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