I’m looking for a few good book recommendations. It’s time to start making my summer reading list. I’ll be taking a trip in a few weeks so I need to discover some good books for the journey. I’ll tell you about my latest read and share a recipe, and then you can give me some book recommendations. Deal?
I just finished reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and it inspired me to make some changes in my diet. The dilemma that Michael Pollan writes about is this: as omnivores, we can eat just about anything in nature, which is bound to create anxiety. Pollan offers insight into this dilemma by tracing four vastly different meals back to their sources. Armed with the information presented, you will be better equipped to navigate our confusing array of food choices, especially in America. It just may inspire you to change your diet, even in some small way, to become more sustainable. Everyone who eats food should read this book.
As everyone who likes bananas should make this cake. It’s so simple and easy to put together, and tastes incredible. I’m sure it would be equally stellar as a loaf or muffins. And I can assure you that the batter tastes great, too. See, I put my recipes through all sorts of rigorous testing just for your benefit. I have confidence that you’ll enjoy this one.
Don’t forget to leave me a book recommendation in the comments!
Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Cake
Adapted from Vegan Visitor
Yield: One 8″ cake
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
3 tablespoons water
4 very ripe bananas
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sucanat (or your preferred type of sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease one 8″ cake pan or spray with vegetable spray and set aside.
Stir the flax and water together and let sit for about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl or the bowl of your mixer, mash the bananas, then add the canola oil, sucanat, and vanilla extract. Beat well with an electric mixer.
Add the salt, cinnamon, and flax mixture. Mix on low speed until combined.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to the banana mixture in two batches, beating just until combined. With a rubber spatula, fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the entire pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.
This chocolate banana cake sounds incredible! I like that it is such a healthy recipe too!
That book is really the one that changed the way I eat and look at everything. I’m reading Eating Animals right now – would love to hear what you think! And of course, my favorite of all favorites, The Alchemist.
I adore vegan cakes, and this looks so so good! You should check out my book blog…I have listed some of my favorite recent reads. I’ve included the link below!
http://anecdotesandapples.weebly.com/bricks-and-books.html
Belinda – The Alchemist is one of my favorites too! I’ll take a look at Eating Animals, thanks for the recommendation!
Monet – Your book blog is a treasure trove of books, and now I want to read so many of them. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Jeanne, I find myself constantly adjusting my diet in reference to what I believe is both healthful for me and the environment. I also care about animal welfare, so that comes into play too. I like it though-it’s good to know about things!
Hey, have you seen the movie ‘Food, INC’? It’s really good-interesting that is!
Jeanne knows about this already, but I’d like to recommend “Gaia’s Garden” by Toby Hemenway for anyone interested in eating from their own backyard.
Mmm! This cake looks delicious! We have some food allergies in my extended family, so vegan baking is definitely an area where I can learn more.
Books… It might sound silly, but I actually really like the YA market. I’ve been reading a lot of Shannon Hale’s work lately, and really enjoying it, especially Goose Girl, and Book of a Thousand Days. They’re young, but really great!
Stella – I did see “Food, Inc”. It certainly is an eye opener, and it inspired me to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma. My diet is constantly evolving too!
LaChelle – I do like YA books as well (I’ll give almost any book a try). I’ll definitely look for Shannon Hale’s work. Thanks!
Hey there! This cake looks heavenly! I am all about banana in any baked form! So have you read Sue Miller’s The Senator’s Wife? Or Annie Dillard, The Maytrees? Or –for a completely different one–this book I just finished, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. I loved the last book so much–riveting and page turning because though it is non-fiction (a Katrina book–but more than that, really), it reads like a piece of amazingly good fiction. I hope this helps!
I’d recommend everything by Jhumpa Lahiri.
The cake looks delicious!
I’m not much of a novel reader, although I have my moments. I have a friend who recommended Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and I’m thinking about checking this one out. She’s a respected friend so I’m going entirely based on her recommendation. I don’t know what the book is about.
You know I love the looks of this banana cake. Looks utterly stupendous!
Oh, yes! am a huge fan of the Omnivore’s Dilemma and Mr. Pollan. Very good book, indeed. At the moment, I am reading She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, but it has been very good. Are you going to be near a beach? Could be a good read with some ocean breeze blowing in your face! Also, love the began banana bread recipe. Looks gorgeous and delish!
I’m so thrilled to have all these excellent book recommendations!
Kelly – I haven’t read any of those yet, but they all look great. Zeitoun does sound riveting, and I’m sure I will enjoy it!
Katie – I’ve heard of Jhumpa Lahiri and I’ve been meaning to read her work. Thanks!
Marly – I trust your friend’s recommendation. I’ll let you know how I like the book when I read it!
Patty – I have read She’s Come Undone, and I enjoyed it. I won’t be too close to the beach, but we might get to the beach for a day trip!