Dad's first guest post: Gluten-free Banana Bread

When my mom came out to visit earlier this year, I subjected her to our Whole 30 eating experiment. While she survived, she (like us) didn't carry on with the gluten-free diet. However, it seems that it got my dad to ponder his eating habits and he's now trying to eliminate gluten from his diet.

My dad was always an equal contributor in the kitchen when I was growing up. Both my parents did shift work which meant that usually only one of them was home to watch us and subsequently, make us dinner. Besides excelling at meat + potato suppers, my dad's other specialty is pastry crust (a skill that I've yet to develop!). Sadly, his pastry making days might be on hold if he sticks to this gluten-free eating but in the meantime, he's working on his gluten-free baking. Here's one of the first recipe that he's successfully adapted - a recipe that he's proud of and wanted to share with others. Happy baking!

Banana Raisin Bread with Chocolate Chips (Gluten and Dairy Free)

A good first gluten-free treat (that’s also made with soy milk). This was adapted from a regular banana bread recipe so it could be made with regular ingredients. I used Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free All purpose baking flour. I like it because it is a mixture of 5 kinds of flour which makes a loaf more like we are used to with wheat flour. It slices well and is great with tahini or peanut butter and honey. Xanthan Gum is used to help hold all the different flours together. I sprinkle it on top of the dry ingredients and mix it in well.


Dry Ingredients:
2 cups flour Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free
1½ teaspoons Xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar or 1/2 cup sugar + 1/4 cup honey

Wet Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 or 3 ripe bananas mashed
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons sugar for topping

Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, using a whisk to combine thoroughly.
2. Using a wooden spoon, mix wet ingredients in another bowl.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Gently stir together.
4. Pour into loaf pan sprayed with Pam or coated with butter or margarine.
5. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.
6. Bake at 350 for about an hour and ten minutes, until golden brown.
7. Cool completely before slicing and enjoying with your choice of topping!