A Taste of Liberia: Banana and Pineapple Nut Bread

In Liberia, there are many traditional holidays that have been celebrated since the 1800s. Some of these holidays have been carried over from America like Thanksgiving and Christmas. A major theme of their holidays is freedom because it is the most important human right in a Liberian's view. As a result their most important holiday is Independence Day, which is celebrated in July. On Independence Day, many family and friends have huge parties with tons of traditional dishes. The majority of these dishes are breads like pineapple bread, rice bread, or plantain bread that people enjoy with some ginger beer. Liberians bake some of the finest breads by making the bread from scratch and putting the time and patience in it. Breads can also be eaten for dessert, along with some sweet coconut pie. Other dishes eaten are various types of fish or meat stews with boiled cassava. Here are recipes to make a Liberian banana or pineapple nut bread depending on your tastes:

Banana Bread:

In a 4-quart bowl:

Combine: 2 cups CREAM OF RICE (cereal)

4 Tbs. SUGAR

4 tsp. BAKING POWDER

1 tsp. SALT.

Stir in: 2 cups MASHED BANANAS

2 LARGE EGGS

1 cup MILK

1/2 cup VEGETABLE OIL.

Bake in a well-greased 8 x 12-inch rectangular or 9-inch round cake pan at 375' for 45 minutes.

Test with a toothpick.

http://southernfood.about.com/mbiopage.htm

Pineapple Nut Bread:

In a 4-quart bowl:

Combine: 2 1/2 cups ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1 cup BRAN

1 Tbs. BAKING POWDER

1 tsp. BAKING SODA

1 tsp. SALT

1/2 cup CHOPPED ROASTED PEANUTS (or WALNUTS).

Beat 2 EGGS until light.

Add 3/4 cup CRUSHED PINEAPPLE, drained.

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir thoroughly.

Bake at 350' in greased loaf pan for 1 hour.

Test with toothpick.

Serve with cream cheese. Enjoy!!!

sources: http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Liberia.html, http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Bread.html#LIBERIAN%20RICE%20BREAD