*The* Banana Bread

Several years ago, I had an idea.  It stemmed from a concern for our elderly cataract patients.  I felt bad that even though their surgery is non-invasive, quick and routine, they still had to fast from the night before.  Patients who were slated for late morning or early afternoon were starving!  I thought it would be nice for them to have a little snack before we sent them on their way.  So, for the past many Monday nights, I bake banana bread....

The pictures here are of two loaves - I always double the recipe because somehow it doesn't all make it out the door.  The nurses have also admitted that they have seen a certain doctor dipping into the stash throughout the day...

Cream the sugar with the butter first, as above.  Once you add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, try to minimize the amount of mixing.  Pulse the dry ingredients so that it appears as below, it will have the consistency of brown sugar.

Make sure you are using large or jumbo eggs.  (I can't believe how small regular eggs have become!)  Use bananas that are at least this ripe, or darker.  All brown/black is actually the best.

If you use regular chocolate chips, they will all sink to the bottom and become a big chocolatey mess.  I use half mini chips and half chunks or milk chocolate chips, and pulse them in the blender a few times.

This happens in my kitchen every Monday night!