When Life Gives You Bananas...

...you {freeze them for smoothies and part with a few of them to} make banana bread!

This recipe from Tasty Kitchen (PDub's recipe site) is my favorite for banana bread.  (The roasted bananas are delish, but you can skip that step if you already have ripe bananas and you're short on time.)

I love to use this streusel topping for...well, everything.  In particular, it takes pumpkin bread to a whole new level.

On these chilly almost-spring days, some warm banana bread is the absolute most perfect thing.

Banana Bread with Streusel Topping via {Simply Scratch featured on} Tasty Kitchen

I'm playing a little game this week to see if I can avoid grocery shopping while cleaning out my fridge/freezer/pantry.  We had (homemade) Mac-n-Cheese w/ Bacon on Monday (leftover ingredients from getting bumped off the schedule last week), Poached Eggs in Spanish Rice on Tuesday, Apple/Brie/Honey Pizza topped with Kale Salad on Wednesday, and for tonight's dinner, I'll be serving {drumroll please} Peanut Butter & Honey Banana-Bread Sandwiches.  (How Memphis-y of us!)  I could have gone the French toast direction, but I'm almost out of eggs (see: Tuesday's dinner).  Technically, I'm also out of peanut butter, BUT I have a can of roasted peanuts in the pantry just begging to be "buttered" in the food processor.  Tomorrow is take-out night, so I think I'm in the clear!  

What's for Lunch

I have to share this yummy salad dressing I've really been enjoying:

via

I found this Sesame Ginger Dressing in the refrigerated salad greens section in the Whole Foods produce department.  Here are the ingredients: Filtered Water, Sesame Tahini (Ground Sesame Seeds), Pear Juice Concentrate, Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt), Orange Juice Concentrate, Rice Wine Vinegar, Ginger Puree (Ginger, Water), Chives, Xanthan Gum.

I was looking for a pre-made dressing with Asian flavors because I have been eating a LOT of Chick-fil-a's Asian Salad w/ Honey Sesame dressing.  While it is a better choice than the fried chicken sandwich loaded up with mayo (mmmm), I knew I could make something healthier & cheaper at home.  (And I would be eating it WITHOUT a side of waffle fries dipped in Chick-fil-a sauce!)

To be honest, I felt a little nervous about this dressing BECAUSE it sounded so healthy, but I figured I'd give it a whirl.  I am now officially addicted!  I actually look forward to lunchtime so I can make myself a salad of greens (I like the "I heart Baby Kale" mix from Organic Girl), topped with one diced apple, & some slivered almonds.  Dicing a whole apple actually makes this salad half apple/half greens, but I'm completely okay with that.  I love the way the sweet, crisp apple squares taste with the salty, gingery, nutty, dressing.

Hope you enjoy this nutrient-packed salad as much as I have!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Good news, Memphis foodie friends: I'm thinking about bringing back meal prep for June, July, & August.  If you're interested in saving yourself some shopping & cooking time this summer, comment with your email address (or email me at FrugalFoodieMemphis@gmail.com).

I'm regrouping with my spring/summer recipes, and I'll have some recipe links back up on the blog soon!