January Challenge: Day 2

In between watching some excellent Test Cricket and gardening, I made a tasty fruit slice using some ripe banana that I was storing in the freezer, some dried fruit and nuts. This slice is based on a great recipe at Taste.com.au, but I've modified it a little for the ingredients I had available - namely a pack of organic prunes that was sitting at the back of the fridge. Peeled ripe banana freezes well, but is only good for mashing once defrosted.

Banana Slice

• 150g (1 cup) chopped prunes
• 3/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
• 250ml (1 cup) water
• 320g (2 cups) plain flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 260g (1 cup) mashed ripe banana
• 55g (1/2 cup) chopped walnut halves
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a brownie pan with baking paper, and lightly spray with cooking oil.
2. Combine prunes, sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium and bring to the boil. Remove from heat.
3. Place flour, baking powder, walnuts, cinnamon, and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Add the sugar mixture and mashed banana. Stir until just combined. Spoon into prepared pan and smooth surface with the back of the spoon. Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside for 5 minutes to cool before turning onto a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
4. This cake is dairy and egg free.

For dinner, I made a lamb and spinach curry using curry paste from the fridge, spinach from the freezer and tinned tomatoes. I also threw out a packet of baby snacks that had gone stale.