Banana bread works best with over ripe bananas which you might be thinking about throwing away.

Method (makes 1 loaf)

• Preheat the oven to 160ºC and line a loaf tin with baking paper. 
• Cream the butter with the sugar in a bowl or in a food processor. 
• Add the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla. 
• If it curdles, add a handful of the flour. 
• Fold in the flour and mashed banana (this can all be done in a food processor until smooth).
• Pour the mixture into the loaf tin. 
• Bake for 1 hour and check that it is cooked through by skewering the centre and seeing if it comes out clean. 
• This cake will keep for a few days in an airtight container.  
• You can add chopped walnuts or chocolate drops before baking for variation.