Hi there. I'm Cherri, the imaginary food lover that my author Wajeeha has dreamed up of. I'm the main character, or you could say heroine of her fictional series Confessions of a Foodie. Isn't that cool? I'm a heroine, wow. 😉 Remember how I made these adorable Salted Caramel Mini Cheesecakes? Or how I learned to make Homemade Golden Salted Caramel which has magical properties according to Nana? If not, you need to catch up on the previous chapters of this series Confessions of a Foodie! I promise they're fun to read.

Today I'm going to be making an Easy No Mixer Banana Bread; I read the recipe for it in Nana's recipe diary for Nicola!

So remember how the other day I found the mysterious recipe diary called Recipes to Nicola? Well, guess what I've been doing since then, instead of studying for my mid terms or unpacking in my new apartment. Of course, I've been reading that diary. I mean that's kind of studying too right? It involves intently reading the recipes, and then making the actual recipes and then eating up the result. It's sort of like an exam, and in the end you get to eat. I wish all exams were like that, don't you? I've been learning lots of important things, like how this salted caramel sauce has healing powers for the broken hearted. Or how to make mini cheesecakes so that you don't feel guilty if you eat too many, since they're so tiny right?

Anyway, one of the recipes that really pulled me was this one for Easy No Mixer Banana Bread. Nana wrote a lovely letter to Nicola about it, so I thought you would love to read it too, my food buddy!

Dear Nicola,

In life, you'll meet lots of beautiful recipes. Some will be delicate and require high maintenance such as French macarons with their light airy shells and creamy fillings. There will be fancy cakes intricately decorated with the finest of frostings made from pure butter and light icing sugar. Some will require ample time and patience such as the making of croissants, in order to get the perfect flaky buttery layers. While these recipes are beautiful and yield the most amazing results, sometimes the classic, not so beautiful recipes are forgotten in the midst of all the fancy techniques and complicated flavors.

One such recipe is this Easy No Mixer Banana Bread. This banana bread is all about flavors, comfort and ease of making. There are no fancy techniques involved, or long waiting periods. It's mixed by hand, and is ready in an hour's time. It calls for easy ingredients which are readily available in most kitchens. It's the perfect recipe to make when you feel the need for baking therapy. Perhaps, the best thing about this banana bread is that it's almost impossible to fail at making this. And sometimes that's all you need, when everything else is falling apart in life, an easy no fail recipe can lift your hopes up.

So, my dear Nicola, whenever you feel the need for some baking love or therapy, turn to this recipe. It will be with you like an old friend when you're down and want a quick cheering up. It won't let you down, I promise. While this banana bread may be humble looking, and doesn't flaunt it's beauty, I promise you that it's full of flavor and deliciousness. It is the perfect way to start your day with a hot mug of freshly brewed coffee, or sweet tea. It's also delicious as a mid afternoon snack, or even as a dessert paired with the creamiest vanilla ice cream.

My sweet Nicola, I do hope you make this recipe. It was your mother's favorite banana bread and was the first baking recipe she made with me in our little kitchen. I can still remember the sweet banana scent wafting through our home, that day. Whenever I miss your mom too much, I make this banana bread, and feel her presence in the kitchen with me.

Forever love,

Nana.

Okay, so Nana is a total sweetie isn't she? I wish I knew her in real life. Btw, don't try to forget the banana bread, it's easy and awesomely delicious!

I gotta go now and work on a project now, a marketing project. But I need energy for the tedious project, so I deserve to have one of these Nutella Stuffed Cookies, no? 😉

Love,

Cherri.