Healthy Courgette, Banana, and Coconut Oat Loaf

I'm on a bit of a health kick at the moment, I've taken up swimming and I've been going 4 times a week and honestly at first I thought I would have to be dragged out the pool after about 2 lengths but I quite surprised myself and now after 4 weeks I'm on 64 lengths (1 mile)...with that and eating healthy even though I don't eat rubbish anyway, I thought it was about time to develop some sweet healthy recipes. I must say I'm always disappointed at results that come up when you search for healthy recipes as some of the ingredients are good foods, ie fruit or veg but then add in the large amount of sugar and it can't really be constituted as healthy, so I was on a mission! I had seen a recipe a while ago that sounded great so off to my kitchen I went to develop my own version and it was a huge success, tasty, healthy and without the guilt...no sugar! Hard to believe I know but honestly these mini loafs (or loaf) really do taste fantastic and you would never know that you didn't have the sugar piled into them! These are perfect for kids as well as loads of good foods packed into them and as long as you get gluten free oats, they are perfect for gluten free diet as well as there is no flour :)) 

Healthy Courgette, Banana and Coconut Oat Loaf

1/2 cup ground almonds

1/2 cup oats (not instant)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp rapeseed oil

1 tbsp honey

1 banana mashed (1/2 cup)

1/2 cup courgette grated

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1/3-1/2 cup pistachio nuts (crushed)

Pre heat the oven to 180/170c fan

Add the ground almonds, oats, baking soda and cinnamon to a bowl and mix

In a jug add the eggs, vanilla extract, oil and honey and whisk until incorporated

Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and then add the mashed banana, the grated courgette, desiccated coconut and pistachios and mix well.

Pour into either a lightly oiled loaf tin or lightly oiled mini loaf tins (I used 4 mini ones)

Pop into the pre heated oven and bake for around 15-18 minutes, until golden in colour and a skewer comes out clean

A perfect breakfast :)

This morning we yet again woke up to snow...it's the 24th March, how can this be? I must say I'm getting pretty sick of the cold weather now and really craving some sunshine especially as I have some spring clothes that desperately need to be worn haha!
Anyway we all decided that a yummy warming breakfast was in order so I made my boys some banana and macadamia nut pancakes and they were wonderful...a lovely alternative to your normal pancakes and I'm guessing with the bananas and nuts in them, they must be slightly good for you ;))
(sorry about the picture I only managed to get a very grainy pic from hubby's phone before they got devoured haha)

Banana and Macadamia Nut Pancakes

225g bananas (well ripened)
225g milk
2 eggs
55g butter melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
225g self raising flour
2 tbsp caster sugar
2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
50g toasted macadamia nuts

Mash the bananas and add to a bowl with the milk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract, whisk until thoroughly combined.

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and whisk until everything is mixed and combined.

The mixture is thicker than your normal pancake mixture due to the addition of the bananas but this is fine.

Heat a very small amount of oil in a pan.

Pour spoonfuls of the mixture in to the pan and add the macadamia nuts on the top straight away.

Turn over once cooked underneath and starting to firm up on the top. Cook the other side and place on a plate stacked up

Serve with maple syrup or if like me...nice and plain :)) but if your doing these for a pudding, they would be great with a big dollop of mascarpone cream or ice cream :)

This does make a large batch but perfect for a family :)

Recipe from "desserts for breakfast"