But here is somethings I've been doing with the simple little banana. I'm sure you know how wonderful the banana is and has some awesome nutrition. It's amazing how my attitude about browning bananas has changed since I started going raw. I bought bananas occasionally before, but now I buy them every time I hit the grocery store. I don't just buy one bunch, I at least buy 4 - 6 bunches in varying states of ripeness. I was a wimp before. If the skin of the banana was a little bit brown, no way would I eat it. I'd probably save it and make banana bread out of it, but I wouldn't eat it. Now, I eat them. Bruises on the banana, well I still don't eat them but the whole banana isn't ruined just cuz of a little bruise.
What do I do with all those bananas? I dehydrate them, and freeze them, and never have a smoothie without them! YUM! So to dehydrate I try to use bananas that are a tad bit green, cuz I'm trying to prevent as much brown-ness in the finished product. I then slice them about 1/4" - 1/3" thick and spread them out on the mesh sheet on the dehydrator tray. I tried soaking them in Fruit Fresh to prevent browning, but it didn't make any difference and it was just more time. So no more soaking. Then I put them in the dehydrator at about 113 degrees. Then someone gave me a tip and said give them a little sprinkle of cinnamon. YUM!!! Don't dry them till they are hard as poker chips! They should actually be a little pliable and chewy, so much better than the ones you buy in the store.
I also freeze bananas. When the bananas start getting a bit brown and I have too many to use before they go really brown, I pull out a cooling rack and peel the bananas and break them in half and place on the rack, and put them in the freezer. Once frozen I put them in a ziploc bag. So if I run out of fresh bananas for smoothies, then I can throw in a couple frozen 1/2 bananas. I've used them in our morning smush. Also if you love milkshakes, then use the frozen bananas for milkshakes. YUM!!! or put in a food processor and process until smooth and you have banana ice cream. MMMmmmmmm If you checked out the website in the the last post you'll find a recipe for pumpkin ice cream using frozen bananas.
I'll have to post the Chocolate Milkshake Recipe when I get home. . . So check back!
