America Test Kitchen's Banana bread

A couple of weeks ago I was watching America's Test Kitchen and they were making the ultimate banana bread. The whole time I was thinking who is going to go to these lengths to make banana-ier tasting banana bread. Next thing I knew I was making it. Well my sister gave me 6 ripe bananas one afternoon and I had 5 myself. I remembered the recipe and decided to get rid of all the bananas at once by doubling the recipe. I must confess, it was good. In fact the best tasting banana bread I've made.

the bananas after being zapped in the microwave

see all the liquid?

sorry for the fuzzy picture

here is the youtube clip of the episode

Recipe

by ATC

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
6 large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled (The 6th banana is sliced for the top of the loaf, so if you have only 5 that will work)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.

3. Place 5 bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (you should have 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup liquid).

4. Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1⁄4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth.

5. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan.

6. Slice remaining banana diagonally into 1⁄4-inch-thick slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1 1⁄2-inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.

7.Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 55 to 75 minutes.

On the home front...I am a HGTV & DIY addict. I decided to take the plunge and make bookshelves for the dining area (of course with help from my dad). My kitchen area is a mess at the moment and so is my patio. The first bookshelf is done and I am painting the last coat on the second one. They didn't turn out exactly as I wanted, but not bad for my first big home project.