In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
While at my sponsor’s Birthday Brunch on Saturday, one of the women went out to her car and brought in her dog.
In season.
Yesterday I used up some really ripe (brown skinned) bananas to make fruit leathers using the dehydrator. It is always a challenge finding sweet treats that don’t contain sugar. Here is the recipe I put together, using up what I had on hand. As you’ll see, I didn’t pay much attention to amounts as I used what I had on hand.
4 large very ripe bananas (the kind that you don’t want to eat because they are so brown.)
1/2 tsp bottled vanilla
oat bran (can’t remember how much, maybe a half a cup)
oatmeal (approximately 1/2 c., I think)
chopped fine walnuts and walnut meal (at the bottom of a container I use to hold walnuts)
raisins (don’t remember how many but maybe 1/2 c.)
Mash the bananas with all the rest of the ingredients.
Spread mixture on plastic dehydrator trays (I spray a little Olive Oil Pam on a paper towel and wipe each tray, hoping the mixture won’t stick too bad)
I spread and flatten the mixture as equally thin as I can get it, using the back of a spoon to flatten the 2 tablespoon drops of the mixture.
I set the dehydrator to 135.
I cook the mixture for 3 hours and then turn it over. (I use a pie server to turn the gooey mixture over and make sure to re-flatten the mixture so it drys all the way through.)
I cooked the turned mixture another 1.5 hours.
Here is what the end product looks like (not out of focus like they look in the photo though:-)
Banana leathers plus.
Ummmm good.
p.s. I will never be a food photographer. I finally gave up trying to get this photo looking good.
…………..LJ, I simply don’t get it. With no sugar, how much fun is it to eat a snack without the “guilty look over your shoulder this is bad I should only eat one but I’ll have 4 ok maybe 6 but for sure thats it ok maybe 1 more” feeling. Then when its time to get up to exercise you skip it because you only had healthy snacks. You don’t buy new clothes because the old ones still fit, no new exercise gear beacuse your weight is under control. From a macro economic sense, I hope this concept doesn’t catch on.
I would suggest you re-think this healthy snack thing, could be very bad for your exercise regime, bad for the clothing industry, and ultimately bad for America. The M&M Mars company wants you back!
L”bust a seam”R
Have you talked to your sponsor about the “tour bus” thinking?
Hiked 8.5 miles with my McHale today!!!
Previous comment……very funny !!!! Loved the picture of your banana leathers. They look yummy. I’ll have to buy a dehydrator…..Im wondering if they are worth it? What else would I dehydrate?
Love the phone of you and Debbie, you look awsome !!
Susan
Here are some things I use the dehydrator for: Beef jerky, all kinds of fruit leathers, left over food etc.
yummy! I am so jealous – I am off all grains and no fruit for snacks – I weighed in at 140 – I was between 132-135 for so long. So no fun for me. BUT U GO and enjoy.