Con  Volume No: 01 Chapter No: 01  Page i  Table of Contents

   Features-Recipes

Introduction

Bananas are thought to be one of the oldest cultivated fruits.  Spanish explorers brought them to New
World areas like the Caribbean & Latin America.  today, bananas are one of America's three favorite fruits.
Bananas are high in nutrients like potassium and vitamin B6.  Bananas are even a source of vitamin C.
Their starchy flesh turns to sugar as they ripen, giving them a sweet flavor and smooth texture.
Bananas are easily digested.

TROPICAL APPLE SALAD PLATTER

1   Glden delicioius apple, cored and sliced
1  Red delicioius apple, cored and sliced
1  fresh pineapple, pared, cored and cut into spears
1  honeydew melon, pared and cut into chunks
1  papaya, pared and sliced
1  banana, peeled and sliced

AFTER-SCHOOL STRAWBERRY SHAKE

BANANA BREAD

BANANA NUT SMOOTHIE

2  ripe bananas

2  cups pineapple juice

2  tbsp. creamy peanut butter

2  tsp. plain yogurt  

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

6  ice cubes

nutmeg

Combine all ingredients, except nutmeg, in blender.  Cover and

run on high until smooth and well blended.  Sprinkle with

nutmeg.  Makes 4 (1 cup) servings.

ORANGE AND BANANA OLE

4   Oranges, peeled, halved & sliced

juice of 1 orange (about 1/3 cup)

2  Tbsp. brown sugar

1  tsp. chili powder

2  small bananas, peeled & sliced

In serving bowl, arrange orange slices.  In jar with lid,

combine juice, brown sugar and chili powder; shake well.  Pour over

orange slices; cover & chill briefly.  Gently stir in banana slices before

servings.  Makes 6 servings.

WATERMELON STRAWBERRY SHAKE

1   8 oz container lemon nonfat yogurt

2  cups watermelon, cubed and seeded

1  pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled

1  medium banana, peeled and sliced

In a blender or food processor, process yogurt, watermelon, strawberries and

banana until smooth and frothy.  Makes 4 servings.

BANANA-PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 small ripe banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)

1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup margarine spread

1/4 cup creamy or chunky-style reduced-fat peanut butter spread

1  large egg

1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray baking sheets with vegetable cooking spray.  Combine flour and

baking soda in a small bowl.  In a medium mixing bowl, beat together banana, brown sugar,

margarine spread, and peanut butter spread until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer on medium

speed.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Gradually beat in flour mixture until a dough forms.  Shape dough into

1-inch balls, placing them 2 inches apart, on baking sheets.  Using the tines of a fork dipped in flour, press

 crisscross pattern onto each cookie.  Bake cookies, in batches, until edges are set, about 10 minutes.

  Place baking sheets on wire racks and cool for about 5 minutes.  Place

cookies on racks and cool completely.  Makes about 45 cookies.

CHOCOLATE CHIP-BANANA PANCAKES

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1  Tbsp. granulated sugar

2  Tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/4 cups skim milk

1  small ripe banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)

1  large egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate mini morsels, divided

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in large bowl.

After mixing well, stir in milk, banana, egg and vanilla.  Fold in 1/4 cup

chocolate morsels.  Spray nonstick skillet or griddle with vegetable cooking spray.  Heat

over medium heat.  Pour batter onto griddle making 3-inch rounds.  Cook about 2 minutes

or until tops are bubbly.  Flip pancakes and cook for another 2 minutes or until golden.

Prepare remaining pancakes as directed, adding more spray with each batch.  Place on

individual plates and sprinkle with morsels.    Makes 4 servings.

TROPICAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE

1  8 oz. container nonfat lemon yogurt

1  8 oz. can crushed pineapple in unsweetened pineapple juice

1  large banana, broken into chunks

1/2 cup pitted prunes

1  cup ice cubes

In an electric blender, combine all ingredients except ice cubes.  Blend until

smooth.  Add ice cubes, pulsing on and off, until smooth.  Makes 2 servings.