Best Banana Bread

A neighbor brought me some banana bread for my birthday. It was really the BEST banana bread I have ever had- so moist and tasty. She made them as muffins but you could bake as a loaf too.

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon juice
1 3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c sour cream (i didn't have this so I used plain greek yogurt as a substitute)
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1 c mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix well. In another bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pour flour mixture into the butter mixture and stir until smooth. Fold in sour cream, nuts and bananas. Bake for 50-60 minutes in greased bread pan.

California Chipotle Chopped Salad

This is a new favorite summer salad!!

4 T. olive oil
2 T. agave
4 T. apple cider vinegar

1/4 c. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 t. chipotle chile powder
1/2 t. salt
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped up
1 large tomato, finely chopped
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/2 c. cooked quinoa
2 T. finely chopped cilantro
chopped chicken (optional)

To make vinaigrette: Puree 3 T. of oil, vinegar, agave, and lime juice in blender. In a small pan heat remaining oil over medium heat with black beans, garlic, chile powder and salt for 5 min. Let cool. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado quinoa, black bean mixture and cilantro. Toss gently with vinaigrette to coat.