Banana Bread Recipe

Banana bread is a family favorite in my home. My husband loves it with his tea, and my kids love to munch on it throughout the day. This banana bread is delectably soft and moist, with tones of warm cinnamon-coconut sweetness and just the right amount of crunch in every bite. Full of wholesome goodness, it is made with whole wheat flour and coconut oil, sweetened with honey, and topped with crushed almonds and shredded coconut. 

Ingredients:

⅓ cup melted coconut oil

½ cup honey

1/2 cup apple sauce

2-3 large bananas

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to swirl on top

1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour

Optional toppings: ½ cup crushed or sliced almonds, shredded coconut, etc.

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×9 inch square pan.

2) In a large bowl, beat the oil and honey together together with a whisk.

3) Add the apple sauce and beat well.

4) Mash 1 cup of bananas and add to the bowl along with milk and vanilla. Whisk.

5) Add the baking soda, salt and cinnamon and mix well.

6) Add the whole wheat flour and mix until just combined. Some lumps are ok.

7) Pour the batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle all over with cinnamon. To get a swirled effect, run the tip of knife across the batter in a zig-zag pattern.

8) Sprinkle toppings evenly on the surface. Our favorite is 1/2 cup almonds followed by shredded coconut. Gently pat down the toppings.

9) Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

* Adapted from this recipe by Cookie and Kate.

Old Du'as Die Hard

“Why do you want to memorize the Qur’an?” she asked me.

I looked at her, puzzled. I had asked her to come over and wanted to get some advice from her, since she was a veteran homeschooler. I was feeling guilty about spending less time with the kids and more time on my memorization of the Qur’an during the following year.

The question was valid, because I had a lot on my plate. I was married. I had 3 kids—8, 5 and almost 2 years old. I was homeschooling the elder 2. I lived with my in laws and had a busy social life. My own side of the family lived close by.


Why did I have such an strong desire to memorize the Qur’an for as long as I could remember? I had never stopped to think about. Yes, I knew I wanted to memorize the Qur’an because I wanted the Words of Allah in my heart, mind and actions. But why was this desire so intense—extreme even?

Then it hit me. This unshakable need to memorize the Qur’an was actually a result of my mother’s du’a. Since before my mother had children, before she was even married, my mother has always made du’a for her offspring to be huffadh—those who memorized the Qur’an.

What we sometimes forget, is that the answer to a du’a can come in different forms: 

1) Allah answers the du’a the way we asked.

However, this could happen right away, or after a while. “The du’aa’ of any one of you will be answered so long as he is not impatient and says, ‘I made du’aa’ but it was not answered.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim. We have to remember that Allah knows everything, so He knows the best time for us to get what we asked for.

2) Allah stops something bad from happening to us.

3) The du’a is saved for us for the Hereafter.

If you think about it, these are all amazing scenarios. We can get whatever we asked for, we can be saved from something bad, or we can have our du’as as good deeds in the Hereafter. All of this, just from asking Allah. So make du’a! You have nothing to lose!

Hot Cocoa Recipe

My kids and I have always loved hot cocoa, but we try to avoid processed sugar. I knew I could prepare hot cocoa for them which was delicious enough to satisfy them, but still nutritious enough for me to feel happy about it. This hot cocoa is rich, creamy, chocolatey, lusciously soothing, and ridiculously simple to make. 

Ingredients:

3 cups milk

3-6 medjool dates

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 

Directions:

1) Blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender on the soup setting until smooth and hot. Taste and add dates or cocoa powder as needed.

2) Ladle into mugs and enjoy!

* If you don't have a high speed blender, transfer the mixture to a pot and heat to desired temperature. Keep stirring to ensure none is stuck to the bottom. Return to the blender to get a smooth consistency.

Baked Salmon Recipe

Baked salmon is one of my favorite weekly dishes. It is juicy, simple, easy, and light. It only requires a few ingredients but packs a ton of flavor. My family loves it paired with rice and salad.

Ingredients:

1 to 1.5 lb Salmon Fillet

1 tbsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil

juice of 1 lime or lemon

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 serrano pepper finely sliced

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) In a small bowl, mix paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.

3) Rub olive oil all in a 9 x 13 pyrex pan. Place salmon skin side down. Rub olive oil all over the top of the salmon.

4) Sprinkle dry spices all over the salmon. Top with minced garlic and serrano pepper slices. Drizzle lime juice all over.

7) Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let sit for 2 minutes before serving.

Bismillah

Indeed actions are by intentions. May Allah purify our intentions and guide us to the best of actions.