Anna Filosi and Jane Durland

This recipe is from Jane Durland, a lovely woman who was Deputy Director of Human Resources at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). I began working at EOHHS shortly before Jane died from brain cancer in 2007. I never had the privilege of meeting Jane, but everyone in the office spoke very highly of her as a consummate professional, trusted friend, and confidante. After hearing so many stories about Jane, I feel like I knew her. My friend Anna, who was very close to Jane, gave me her banana bread recipe which I include here in Jane’s memory. You will not find a better banana bread recipe anywhere! 

Preparation Time:
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup oatmeal (quick oatmeal is fine)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. nutmeg
• Optional: Add tropical nuts, dates, raisins, or cranberries for variety.

Instructions:

• Mash bananas well and mix thoroughly with beaten egg, sugar, and oil.
• Sift together remaining dry ingredients except oatmeal and add to banana mixture. Then mix in oatmeal.
• Bake in a greased 5×9 inch pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.