Too easy fruit salad

My husband says I should share this - says it's brilliant. I disagree, but in the interest of marital harmony...

1 banana, sliced into bite-size pieces
1 apple, sliced into bite-size pieces
1 handful (or so) green grapes, sliced in half
1 6 -8 oz container of cherry yogurt with fruit.

Just before serving, dump fruit into a bowl. Stir. Add yogurt, stir.

I know... it's that easy... use yogurt as salad dressing. It really doesn't feel original.

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Mom made these for the kids this weekend...

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine bananas, oil and egg; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

Makes about 1 dozen

Southern Banana Nut (Pecan) Bread

This is my new favorite banana bread recipe.

1/2 cup butter flavored shortening (I used half butter, half shortening)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups self-rising flour (if you don't have, place 3 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt in measuring cup. Add enough all-purpose flour to equal 1 cup. Then, add another cup of AP flour)
1/2 cup buttermilk (if you don't have, use 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup. Let stand five minutes, then add to the recipe)
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Blend in bananas and vanilla. Add flour alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in pecans.

Pour into two greased 8x4x2-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before moving to wire racks to cool completely.

Now, this is the point where I stopped, but here's the rest of the recipe.

Topping:
1/4 to 1/3 cup mashed banana
1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
Additional chopped pecans

Combine banana, confectioners sugar, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Spread over loaves, sprinkle with pecans.

Banana Cake

I believe this recipe came from the original Bank of Luxemburg cookbook - Marlene Treml's recipe. It's another one that's very easy. But really good.

1/4 cup oil
2 bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup sugar (Splenda works too)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Pour oil into 9 x 13 cake pan. Spread evenly so whole bottom is covered. Beat bananas and eggs in a bowl. Pour all ingredients into pan. Mix with fork until cake mix is dissolved.

Bake 35 - 45 minutes.