Sylvia's Banana Bread

(by Carol Brooks)

3 overripe bananas (brown skins)

1 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. vegetable oil

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

1/2 c. coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick baking spray.

Mash bananas well with fork.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix oil and sugar.

Add bananas, eggs, vanilla, and optional nuts to the oil/sugar mixture.

Add flour mixture to the banana mixture, stirring with fork or wooden spoon to thoroughly combine and moisten.

Pour batter into loaf pan.

Bake approximately 50 - 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.

Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

(Read Top Ten, the story that accompanies this recipe.)