One-Bowl Banana Bread

I've shared my family's banana bread recipe several times over the years, but this is the version I always look up. Over the years, I've found that more than not, I make a half recipe (now a full recipe here), and better yet, I've simplified it to only require one bowl. However, this one-bowl version does require a scale. This* is the scale I have and it's only $14.95. At that price, I can't complain but I will anyway - the buttons are finicky and it usually takes me multiple tries to zero it out, and I've lost the little rubber protective feet because they kept coming off. So I've got this OXO scale* on my wishlist, but it's $64.95 so I might be asking for it as a gift later this year. (Links marked with a * are affiliate links, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

One thing is for certain - baking with a scale instead of measuring cups is the way to go. Not only is it simpler (one bowl!), it's more accurate, which means that your baked goods will simply be better.

There is one caveat to a one-bowl recipe with wet ingredients if you're using a stand mixer: when you take the bowl off to add ingredients, drippage may occur. I scrape the beater as thoroughly as I can, then put a paper towel under the beater to catch any drips while I weigh out the flour.

One-Bowl Hanalei Plantation Banana Bread 
Makes 1 large loaf or 12 muffins

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar (see note 1)
2 eggs, preferably at room temperature (see note 2)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
200-225 grams very ripe bananas (approximately 3) (see note 3)
180 grams (1 1/2 cups) all purpose flour (see note 4)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Diamond brand kosher salt (see note 5)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 1 loaf pan (or line 12 muffin cups).

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down the sides after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.

3. If using a stand mixer, move the bowl to a scale. Add the bananas to the butter mixture. If using a stand mixer, return to the bowl to the mixer. Beat well until bananas are fully incorporated and scrape down the sides. 

4. If using a stand mixer, move the bowl to a scale. Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the banana-butter mixture. If using a stand mixer, return to the bowl to the mixer. Beat just until flour is incorporated. If using a stand mixer, remove the bowl from the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to make sure all the ingredients at the bottom of the bowl are well incorporated. 

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If making muffins, fill muffin cup almost to top. Bake 23-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)

Variations: Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or responsibly sourced mini chocolate chips to the batter before dividing the batter among the pans.

Notes:

1. For greater depth of flavor, use 40 grams of dark brown sugar and 65 grams of granulated sugar.

2. Eggs should be at room temperature for best incorporation. To quickly warm them, put them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. However, if I've left the butter out for a while on a very warm day, I'll use cold eggs since the butter is often too soft and the cold eggs harden it just a bit.

3. Bananas vary so much in weight that weighing them instead of going by quantity makes sense. Also, bananas past their prime are often a mix of perfectly ripe spots and spoiled spots that need to be removed so weighing is actually easier. You can also use frozen, defrosted bananas - just pour out the liquid before weighing them. 

4. I love Hayden Flour Mills White Sonora All Purpose Flour, which is what I used here. Flours can vary slightly by weight but you should be okay using the same weight of a different brand.

5. Diamond brand kosher salt* is made up of bigger flakes than other salts. If using a different brand or table salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon.

Random Roundup: Move Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer, Tips for Locals, Vanilla Cake Showdown & More

Let's kick this week off with a PSA: CVS has the new COVID shot and I had no trouble getting it this past week. It did make me feel a little sick for a couple of days, but my husband only had a brief headache and then was fine. For what it's worth, last year, my husband felt a little sick and I was fine ... go figure. 🤷We'd already gotten our flu shots, because I made the kids get theirs with us before they headed off to school (and experienced no ill effects from that one). Here's to a healthy fall and winter for everyone! (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Do you like to move photos off your phone on to your computer? I do it all the time because I find it easier to do Poshmark and Vinted listings on my laptop than my phone. So I was thrilled to learn that you can buy flash drives that allow you to transfer files from your phone. I got this one* which has lightning, USB A and USB C connections. (Yes, my phone is old 😂)

Greater Good Magazine has a helpful FAQ for how parents of teens can handle common, difficult situations. (My kid doesn't seem motivated about college; my daughter and her significant other just broke up; etc.)

The LA Times has an inspiring first-person account about calling out a racist stranger in a restaurant.

Magellan College Counseling says what every college counselor says about where students should apply to college (i.e., to a range of schools - not just the selective ones!).

For bakers, Kitchn did a vanilla cake recipe showdown (I've only made the RecipeTin Eats recipe, a few years ago, and it was the best vanilla cake I've personally baked).

If you're local and like artistic activities, check out Forager Crafts - I've taken two classes there so far, and they've been great. Plus the store itself has some great stuff.

Also for locals, another great source for news is Los Angeles Public Press.

NYT Recipe Roundup: Mostly but not all meatless

What I serve for dinner changes dramatically when the kids are home, with their different likes and dislikes. It's frustratingly difficult to come up with meals that all four of us will enjoy, but when the kids are at school, my husband and I have gone mostly meatless, with a lot of tofu and beans in the rotation. So you'll see a lot of those below. This is an NYT roundup because my husband regularly sends me New York Times Cooking* recipes so I make a lot of them. My dad shared his NYT subscription with me so I don't have to keep logging in, but you can likely access NYT recipes for free through your library (Angelenos can go here). (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Chickpeas al Limone with Burrata - This was super easy using mostly pantry ingredients. The directions are a little vague on when the chickpeas are done simmering, so I let them go until the beans started popping (there was still some liquid in the pan - I used a 3-quart cast iron braiser*). By itself, the chickpeas are just okay, but with the burrata, they were delicious.

Spicy Green Curry Steak - I use Mae Ploy Green Curry Paste,* which is fantastic - spicy but also tangy, and my older son calls this the best steak I make (which is saying something, if I do say so myself).

Seared Tofu with Kimchi - I really like this dish because it's so easy. It's great with rice, but for a truly low carb meal, you can serve it with tofu shirataki noodles.*

Turkey-Ricotta Meatballs - These meatballs are perfect for people who don't like tomato sauce, because they have a lot of flavor from the herb butter.

Refried White Beans with Chile-Fried Eggs - Protein lovers will want two eggs, otherwise this dish is perfect (and perfectly easy).

Sheet-Pan Bibimbap - I made this on repeat for a while, until we'd had it so often that we got sick of it. This is my favorite gochujang paste.

Cheesy, Spicy Black Bean Bake - This is another super easy recipe made from pantry ingredients.

Sheet-Pan Ratatouille with Goat Cheese and Olives - I make this every three to four weeks, because it's not just delicious, it's an excellent way of eating lots of vegetables. For me, the olives aren't necessary, but the goat cheese definitely is.

Tofu Scramble - Another super easy tofu dish that three out of the four of us really like.

Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma - I can't begin to count the number of times I've made this recipe. It's so good and the leftovers are great too.

Brussels Sprouts Buried in Cream - The recipe name says it all.

Eleven Madison Park Granola - I have to confess that I've never made this recipe exactly because I don't bake with nuts and I strongly dislike coconut. I've subbed in some ground flaxseed and hemp seeds, and tripled the pumpkin seeds. It's the best granola I've ever made (but it's probably also the highest in sugar and fat).

Brownies - My younger son wanted to make brownies so I decided to try this recipe. It was amazing warm, but I have to confess that my favorite brownie mix* is better, especially at room temp.

Roundup: Young Adults in Hotels, Local News, Mistplay Update and More

I'm an empty nester again, since both boys have now returned to college. The house is a little too quiet and my heart aches noticeably, but I also feel energized to do the things that I put off or aside while the house was full and there were more demands on my time. (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!)

Stella misses her brother!

- One of the things I had to do in getting the kids ready to head off again was set my 19-year-old up with a night in a hotel the day before dorms opened. He could have flown in on the day of, but logistically, flying in the day before made more sense. Most hotels have a minimum check-in age, and at a lot of them the minimum age is 21. For large chains, each hotel should list the minimum age on their details page, but I called the hotel I booked for him out of an abundance of caution and was told the minimum age is 21 even though the website said 18. Because the hotel is located within walking distance of his school, they immediately made an exception and said he'd have no problem checking in (and he didn't). So I'm sharing my story in case it's relevant for someone else.

- Speaking of college: Do you have or are you a student thinking about transferring colleges? Here's a great guide to transferring you should read before acting.

- For locals: Have you heard of LA Material?* They're a new-ish local news site that does fantastic work, and we need this kind of news to hold our leaders accountable.

- Update on Mistplay,* which I mentioned last week: I had a game fail to credit me points, so I contacted customer service and they credited the points manually. That was great. But then it happened again in another game and this time I didn't hear back, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep using them. (Missing game points has happened to me multiple times in Fetch, the other app I mentioned, and I've never had trouble getting those credited by customer service.)

- One of my favorite authors, Grace Burrowes, blogged about accomplishing something that makes a tangible visible difference as way to re-set and comfort herself when she feels overwhelmed. I've used the "just do something" strategy, but haven't thought about focusing on something that make a difference for a while, which I will do next time. The insight into her cavernous purse was fascinating too. (Ever since my kids were born and I had to lug a diaper bag everywhere, I rarely carry a purse - usually I just tuck my wallet, phone and keys into pockets.)

- Scripts are always helpful. Here are some possible calm responses when your teen is being difficult.

Finally, if you've driven down Beretania Street in Honolulu and wondered about the restaurant 8 Fat Fat 8, Onolicious has a review so I finally got to satisfy my curiosity. (I cannot tell you how many times I've driven past and wondered what it's like.)

Getting Ready to Apply to College 2026

Students are heading back to school, and a certain group of students known as high school seniors are about to enter an incredibly busy season. Not only do they have difficult classes (AP Calc kicked my butt back in the day), but it's also time to start applying to college. So here are a few tips for seniors that they might hear repeatedly or that might be new to them. And I've got some tips for parents too. 

• Check in with your counselor. It might be the college counselor or your guidance counselor, depending on your school's staff, but someone is going to be writing you a recommendation. It can be brief and superficial, or it can be in-depth and personalized. It's in your best interest to make sure your counselor knows you. Your counselor might even offer to let you have input on the recommendation they write for you. And do everything you can to make it easier for them, like completing a brag sheet.
  
  
• Ditto regarding the teacher you asked for a recommendation. Unless none of the schools you apply to require a teacher recommendation (for example, you're only applying to public colleges in California), you'll need at least one (some colleges require two or even three). Hopefully you asked a teacher before junior year ended but if you didn't, now's the time! And if you did, now's the time to check in with that teacher. Ask what they want from you. If they are vague, you can offer to complete the Common App's brag sheet.
  
  
• Apply to a range of schools. Apply to your dream school for sure - but if it's an Ivy or other super selective school, be realistic about your chances of getting in (for every 100 kids who apply - and almost all of them will have equally competitive applications - less than 10 will be admitted). So make sure you also apply to schools that are likely to let you in (which is actually most of the colleges in the U.S.).
  
  
• The range concept also applies to affordability. Apply to USC, where the cost of attendance is over $100,000. But run their net price calculator so you know what to expect in terms of a financial aid package. And apply to other schools that you know your family can afford. (I have an upcoming post on that topic.) The key, however, is to make sure that every school that you apply to is one you'd be happy to attend if it's the only one that admits you.
  
  
• Know your deadlines. Every college has its own application deadline, and you absolutely need to get your application in on (and preferably before) that date. But the financial aid application probably has a separate deadline and you don't want to miss that one either. (Also, it's best to get the FAFSA done earlier rather than later in case you're applying to a college that doles out aid on a rolling basis.) There may be other deadlines too - for scholarship applications, audition-based majors and more. Make sure you know when things are due.
  
  
• Some of my favorite FREE resources where they've probably answered any question you might have:
  
  - Getting In: A College Coach Conversation podcast: I've been a listener for years, and the experienced college admissions professionals on this podcast offer a wealth of information on just about any college-related topic you can think of.
  
  - College Essay Guy: While CEG's greatest area of expertise is the essay, you'll find free resources related to the entire application.
  
  - uAspire: They nail down the basics of financial aid, including a helpful checklist and links.
  
  - California Student Aid Commission (CSAC): For California residents, CSAC is crucial. They have all the info on California's state aid, such as the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship. Most of the top in-state private schools are participating institutions, so eligibility isn't limited to those attending a UC, CSU or community college.
  
  
• Tips for parents:
  
  - Let your student lead. We are not applying to college, they are. While you are a huge part of it, especially when it comes to money, it's their life. Ask them what they want from you. Something that works for many families is scheduling a weekly conversation about college applications, and avoiding the topic the rest of the week.
  
  - Speaking of money, have "the conversation" early. Now is the time to let them know what you can afford, what you are willing to pay, and how much you expect them to contribute. Don't find yourself in late April breaking your child's heart by telling them that you can't afford their first choice school. Make them aware of that possibility now, and let them know that they need a scholarship to make it affordable.
  
  - Also related to money: Prepare to file the FAFSA and, if necessary, the CSS Profile. Know what information you'll need to fill out the forms, such as which account balances you'll need to report (but you'll want to check those balances on the day that you're completing the FAFSA, not today). If you have a business that you'll need to include as an asset, make sure you know the valuation or get one now. Get your FSA ID now if you don't already have one (you'll need it to log in to complete and sign the FAFSA). Help your student get theirs because they'll need their own FSA ID. 
  
  - Make sure your student knows how proud you are of them, that you understand how stressful the application process can be, and that you're there for them. The best thing one of my kids said to me when I mentioned how scary heading off to college can be and that it's ok to struggle was But I know I have you and Dad always. That sense of security and love will get them through anything.

Do you have any college application-related questions that you want me to address?

Weekly Roundup: Tips for Humans, Sports Fans and Free Money Fans

Here in Los Angeles, public schools have started so I pass lots of parents and kids walking to the local elementary school when I walk Stella in the morning - it really takes me back in time. I feel so bad for the kids that they have to go back when it's still so hot! I have a few tips below for inexpensive ways to keep your house from heating up but they wouldn't really work for classrooms. One of my boys is already back at college and the other heads back this weekend. As Gretchen Rubin says (and I've oft quoted), the days are long but the years are short. And that will never change. (I've marked affiliate/referral links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!):

This new post from Rachel Macy Stafford about offering yourself the same compassion you offer to others - and how hard and un-instinctive it is - really hit home for me.

If you have an iOS device and like sports, give the Apple Sports app a try. It's a quick way to find out when your favorite events are happening. For the Dodgers, it tells me when games are, who's pitching and what network the broadcast is on. It even gives me an alert when the game is about to start or something exciting is happening (e.g., Ohtani up with the bases loaded). It's not great for full rosters or stats though - for that I still use the ESPN app.

FREE MONEY alert: I've discovered that you can play games on your phone and make money. It sounds like a scam, but I started with an app I was already using and one I've talked about before here, Fetch. I've been using the Fetch app for years to earn points on receipts and things I buy, and as I've mentioned previously, one thing that's great about Fetch is that you can scan almost any receipt and get points - you don't need a specific offer to earn. That said, we're not talking a lot of money, though it does add up. But you can earn points by playing games and that can add up fast. There are quite a few different kinds of games, so pick what you enjoy (and don't spend a lot, if any, money on in-app purchases since that negates the free part of earning free money). If you're new to Fetch, you can read my original review and sign up for it here - if you use referral code R4NDF, we'll both get bonus points so thank you if you do!

Bonus FREE MONEY alert: I was doing well with Fetch games but after a while, I wasn't into the games they had so I decided to give Mistplay* a try. They have surveys as well as games, and I earn points faster in their games than I do on Fetch. The key is to meet the bonus goals within the short deadline provided, which is sometimes more work than it's worth. When a game becomes too demanding that way, I just delete it and download a new one.

Two low cost ways to cool your house: Our biggest complaint about our townhouse is that it's oriented to get full sun in the summer and not much direct sun in the winter. And since we're in Southern California, the summer sun is quite devastating. One thing we've done is install some removable paper blackout shades.* They come with a sticky edge you can use to hang them, but we just hang them over our vertical blinds using clips. (If you need more clips than they come with, binder clips work well.) They block the sun so that the room doesn't get so hot but they're easy to take down.

The second thing we've done is put up a patio umbrella* outside the sliding glass door to our patio and angled it to block the sun coming in through the windows. I've been shocked at how well it works.

One thing we've done that is more expensive and doesn't work as well is have the windows tinted. It doesn't work nearly as well as we'd hoped, which perhaps is because we couldn't go too dark due to our homeowners' association rules. But in any event, if you're thinking of going that route but are operating under similar constraints, try the other methods first and save your money.

Finally, if you (or your kid) like stuffed crust pizza but don't want to shell out for delivery, I discovered that Screamin' Sicilian makes a frozen one* that's quite good. It seems to be $8.99 but I found it on sale last week at Ralphs for $6.99, and it completely satisfied my son's craving. So I'll always have a box in the freezer when he's home from now on.

Book Roundup: The Best of What I've Read Lately

I read a lot, and one of my rules is that I don't finish a book I'm not enjoying. I also don't recommend everything I do finish, usually because it was just okay. So every book you see here is one that I either loved reading or taught me a lot even if it made me uncomfortable, and I hope you'll find them enjoyable and/or valuable too. Most of these books I borrowed from the Los Angeles Public Library via the Libby app, which I highly recommend. (I've marked affiliate links with a *, which means I may make a little bit of money if you make a purchase or sign up using that link - thank you!):

Awake* by Jen Hatmaker - This is one of my favorite memoirs ever. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it, but I thought it was an amazingly honest and vulnerable work about a devastating time that somehow manages to be hopeful and loving and positive. I also found it inspiring, and I'm working to be more vulnerable and true to myself now.

Love is the Way* by Bishop Michael Curry - After I finished Awake, I listened to a bunch of Jen's podcasts. One of them was from the end of 2021, when her guest was Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry. I loved his message, so I then listened to his book. It may have changed my life. The message wasn't new - of course love is the way - but there was a practical aspect to the message that worked for me. I'm now trying to "sow seeds" everywhere. That's all. And that's everything.

Village Library cozy mysteries* by Elizabeth Spann Craig - I love when I read the first book in a series and enjoy it so much that I just keep going with the rest of the series. That's what happened with these books.

Somehow* by Anne Lamott - I've seen Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird* recommended by every writer, but I've never read it. (I think I tried it once but didn't get very far.) So I'm not sure what I expected when I listened to this book, but I ended up delighted - not just by the uplifting message that somehow life is good, but by her absolute deadpan delivery of absurd events and sentiments. 

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men* by Caroline Criado Perez - I've learned so much about gender disparities in the last five to ten years, but this book was the first to explain the subtle but real harms in a way that I understand. Just one example that resonated was the prioritization of snow plowing: For years in one city, the first streets plowed were the routes from residential areas to downtown, i.e., commuter routes for cars (driven mostly by men, who established the priority of plowing). And emergency room visits from people injured while walking escalated during this time. When the streets were plowed in different order with walkers in mind (who tended to be women running errands, walking kids to school, etc.), the emergency room visits plummeted.

Domestic Diva Mysteries* by Krista Davis - This is a delightful cozy mystery series with a fun cast of characters. The protagonist is someone I'd like to be friends with and aspire to be more like (she's an entertaining diva), plus she's got a great dog, good friends and a real frenemy.

Paws & Claws Mysteries* by Krista Davis - I actually read this series first, and enjoyed it so much that I found the Diva series. The true stars of this series are the animals - they solve the mysteries - and I absolutely love it!

Amelia Peabody series* by Elizabeth Peters - Set in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, this series is about English Egyptologists and stars a ridiculously independent and self-confident woman and her family and friends. There are history lessons in it too, and not just archaeological. I loved this series so much that I was devastated when I got to the last book and discovered that the co-author was a friend who finished it for the author because she had died. I would have loved more stories in the series.

City of Promises* by Victoria Thompson and Ellen Thompson - I just read this book and since I borrowed the digital version from the library, I barely glanced at the cover and didn't realize until the afterword that there was a co-author. I loved both of Victoria Thompson's Counterfeit Lady* and Gaslight Mysteries* series, and I was delighted at the crossover in City of Promises. So I was crushed in the afterword when again, I discovered that there was a co-author because the author had died. But at least this book felt like a finale.

Legends and Lattes series* by Travis Baldree - The first book in this series was recommended by a friend, and it's the first fantasy series I've enjoyed in a long time. The characters and stories are hilarious, and since there are only three novels, I really hope there are more to come.

The Art of Gathering* by Priya Parker - I wish I had read (or rather, listened to) this book years ago, when I was running PTA meetings and even before I started meeting with high school students over Zoom. It's full of practical advice on making meetings actually useful and parties more meaningful.

Maisie Dobbs series* by Jacqueline Winspear - Set in early to mid 20th-century England (mostly), this series taught me a lot about pre- and post-war life and politics in a way I'd never thought about (perhaps because I'm so American). The protagonist of this series is so unique and so very likeable yet also enigmatic. I was very sad when the author made it clear that Book 18 was the final book in the series.

Ruth Galloway mystery series* by Elly Griffiths - The characters are so marvelously flawed and human, but also still good people, and the mysteries are solid puzzles. I'm enjoying these books very much (currently on The Man in Black,* which is an interlude between books 12 and 13).

Last but definitely not least, Probable Caws* by Donna Andrews - I will be absolutely devastated when Donna Andrews stops writing the Meg Langslow* series. It's my favorite series of all time, I re-read the books all the time, and I can't wait for the next story.*