Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 very large bananas (peeled)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl
3. Place 5 bananas in a fairly large microwavable safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap; cut several steam vents.
4. Microwave bananas on high until bananas are soft and have released liquid - about 4-5 minutes
5. Place a fine mesh strainer over medium saucepan. Pour contents of microwaved bananas into the fine mesh strainer. Let the bananas drain for about 15 minutes while stirring occasionally.
6. Cook the liquid on medium heat for about 5 minutes until there is about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup liquid left.
7. Dump the bananas from the strainer into a bowl, pour the banana liquid in with the bananas. Mash until smooth.
8. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla into banana mixture.
9. Pour banana mixture into the flour mixture and stir. Mix in walnuts if using.
10. Spray a 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
11. Pour batter into loaf pan.
12. Slice the last banana into 1/2 inch thick slices. Shingle slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1 1/2 inch wide spread down center to ensure an even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
13. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean - 55 to 75 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Mark's Notes
I never use brown sugar. I substitute white granulated sugar for the brown sugar and it comes out fine.
This is the recipe that got me hooked on Cook's Illustrated. The original recipe is called 'Ultimate Banana Bread' but sometimes I call it 'Extreme Banana Bread'. Either way, I am referring to this recipe.
Here is a youtube video link of America's Test Kitchen making Ultimate Banana Bread (it's only 7 minutes)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtokStgEQKM&feature=BFa&list=FLg1OP3AJZs6fi1lqFiYZqXw
