I have a compulsion when it comes to cookbooks. Like a Bowerbird who is drawn to bring shiny things into their nest I have the same need to add to my ever growing cookbook collection.
I love browsing the recipes inside for inspiration, I love looking at the beautifully styled photos, and I love reading about what inspired the author. One of my recent cookbook purchases was [amazon_link id=”1742572154″ target=”_blank” ]Wild Sugar Desserts[/amazon_link] by Skye Craig.
Unbeknownst to me Skye appeared on the Australian Tv show Masterchef. As a foodie and a food blogger how did I not know this? Well, you see, I’ve never watched a version of Australian Masterchef. Are you shocked? I know most people are when it comes up in conversation.
As a huge fan of the original British version of Masterchef I just couldn’t bring myself to watch the Australian version.
I know it perhaps sounds odd, but I’m one of those people that likes things a certain way, and I loved the original formula with John Torode and Greg Wallace. I loved the way they interacted, with Greg’s love of great produce and desserts and John with his cooking knowledge.
I loved the way they agreed to disagree on different competitors and didn’t involve the competitors getting bitchy behind each other’s backs. And I loved the way the show was simply about cooking and it wasn’t commercial (admittedly I haven’t watched the recent seasons so I don’t know if this changed). So, after having seen a couple of my favourite international Tv shows, such as Project Runway and Iron Chef, ruined during their Australian conversion I just couldn’t bring myself to watch it.
I’ve heard it’s good, my Mum always raves about it in fact, and I know that appearing on Masterchef has made household names of a lot of talented cooks, which is a wonderful thing but I still can’t bring myself to watch it. The fact it’s on commercial tv doesn’t help either as we pretty much only watch Foxtel in our house.
So, on the weekend I was wanting to do some baking and some overripe bananas were staring back at me from the counter begging to be used. When I have overripe bananas I usually make banana bread, and the banana bread I make is a recipe from a CWA cookbook my Nan gave me when I first moved out of home. Whenever I make it it always reminds me of the banana bread my Mum and Nan used to make, so I’ve been faithful, but with my latest cookbook acquisition waiting to be put to use I flicked through and came across Skye’s Killer Banana and Chocolate Bread. The decision was made as the combination of banana and chocolate is too good to refuse.
I did make a few changes to Skye’s Banana Bread recipe though. I replaced the walnuts with chopped hazelnuts and the sour cream with some delicious honey Greek yoghurt. The resulting bread is deliciously moist and full of banana goodness.
So tell me, do you dislike remakes of your favourite tv shows? And are you a British Masterchef fan who enjoyed the Australian version?
Banana, Hazelnut and Chocolate Bread
Ingredients
- 6 ripe bananas - 3 mashed and 3 sliced
- 225 g of self raising flour
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 100 g of butter
- 90 g of caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 90 g of Greek yoghurt
- 110 g of 70% cocoa chopped into chunks
- 1/3 cup of hazelnuts roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 celsius (350 fahrenheit) and grease 1 large loaf tin.
- In a large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream the butter and caster sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well before adding the banana and vanilla.
- Switch off the mixer and sift in the flour and baking powder and fold through using a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the banana slices, chocolate, hazelnuts and yoghurt and fold through until just combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and then trim a piece of baking paper to size and place of the top of the loaf. Bake for 30 minutes before reducing the temperature to 160 celsius (320 fahrenheit) and baking for a further 30 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out cleanly.
- Remove from the tin and place on a wire rack to cool.
Mmmmmm Mmmmmm! Banana and chocolate, perfect combo! Looks incredible!
Very Nice! I’m loving it!
I do love the Australian Masterchef. Although I agree about Project Runway and the likes. We destroyed those lol
This looks divine!!
Hi there! This is my first time to your blog. Let me just say, your photography skills are STUNNING. I feel inspired, impressed, and a bit envious! Keep up the good work, and thanks for providing a lovely feast for my eyes!
Thank you so much Dee, you are sweet 😀
The master-chef show is addictive..and so does your yummy loaf! Love this classic combo of banana and chocolate.
Yeah I’ve got hundreds of cookbooks but I don’t look at them that much any more. I like trends and seasonal ideas…. love delicious and love the Australian Masterchef. I don’t like the British one it makes me feel a bit depressed. I like seeing who they consider to be hot new chefs and restaurants ,it gives the up and coming new chefs a bit of publicity. They dig into current restaurant trends helping people move on from old fashioned ideas and introduce them to new ingredients, styles and concepts ( making chefs lives easier). Last week they tackled Mexican, verjuice, olive oil ice cream, preassue cookers, using raw ingredients for a fresher healthier touch and the interesting use of cheese in cooking. I don’t know how there are so many people out there ( or on the show) that are such good cooks. It makes me very happy to see. Australia is finally coming of age
this loaf looks fabulous….it has my favorites – hazelnuts, bananas & good old chocolate 😉 hope to make it soon
This is really wonderful. I’ve not tried it with hazelnuts before but I can imagine it tastes heavenly.
Hazelnut, chocolate and bananas? Yum! I love all three, so will be definitely making this.
Gorgeous photos too. 🙂
It looks luscious and delicious!
Oh wow what a combination. This looks just perfect for afternoon tea.
I have been watching Masterchef but it’s one of the only reality shows I will watch. Most of them drive me insane!
Delicious! I’d love to have a slice for breakfast. Lovely clicks, dear!
Cheers,
Rosa
I’m completely addicted to cookbooks too – I have SO many. Plus a million pins and bookmarks and torn out pages from magazines… 🙂
I love UK masterchef too and have never seen the Australian version, but I can’t get enough of cooking programmes either so would love to watch it.
This loaf looks absolutely delicious – hazelnut and chocolate is such a delicious combination.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a cookbook addiction 😀
I agree Jennifer I do not like remakes of favourite TV shows and I watch the British Master Chef, I do love the interaction between John and Greg on the show! A delicious looking loaf… I think I will go for the six servings! 🙂
I’ve never made banana bread, but it’s high on my to-do list! This looks like a great recipe to try.
Banana bread is always a wonderful staple to have in your repertoire. I hope you enjoy it.
Banana Loaf looks delicious. Loved British Masterchef. Greg and John were favourites.
holy cow this looks good!
I would love to watch Masterchef Australia but I never have time. I’m always working or cooking or blogging – no time for TV any more. I’ve caught a few shows and I do enjoy it.
I couldn’t agree with you more about UK Masterchef, I was glued to it. I don’t watch the Australian Masterchef either. Like you, I just can’t get into all of these commercialised cooking reality shows. I prefer the wholesome originals, lucky I have Foxtel too!
Hi Kirsty, I was glued to UK Masterchef too, it was just so good. I especially loved the one season where the really young girl made it to the final 3. She was amazing! 😀 I have to admit I do like Top Chef too, although I could do without some of the bitching.
Oh that looks delicious! Definitely trying this one out, thank you!
I too have a compulsion when it comes to cookbooks! I am a graphic designer, so my compulsion is probably made even worse by the fact that I can’t walk past a beautifully designed cookbook … especially one that’s printed on uncoated paper and has that delicious newly printed smell. I have so many I have no more room in my bookcase … but I just keep on collecting!
I also don’t watch Masterchef … I admit I used to … I loved the first and second seasons, but then something changed, I don’t know what, and now I can’t stand it. It’s more about the sponsors and the sob stories than the actual food and cooking. I much prefer watching SBS and seeing shows like Food Safari (even though I do tune in to Masterclass on a Friday to check out what Gary Meighan is cooking!)!!!
Hi Andrea, we sound quite similar, I love it when books have that newly printed smell too! My fiance made me a bookcase for all of my cookbooks but now it’s overflowing from my new additions. I think I need him to build a 2nd one now!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t watch Masterchef. I was feeling a bit left out because it seemed everyone I speak to watches it.
This is a fantastic take on banana bread – chocolate makes everything better 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love cookbooks too – nothing better than pouring over one with a cup of tea! Your banana bread looks divine – I love that you added chocolate and hazelnuts to make a good thing even better!
Totally Laura, nothing better than a good cookbook and a cup of tea while you menu plan for the week. 😀 And I’m glad you like the hazelnuts.
I’m going to get bananas and let them sit around just to make this bread! I just love hazelnut! A slice would be just perfect with my morning tea.
If you make it please let me know what you think 😀