Yeasted Banana Sandwich Bread

     I came across the recipe for Yeasted Banana Sandwich Bread a couple of months ago on the King Arthur website.  I found it intriguing.  A banana in a non-desert type bread, how could I not try this!  The banana gives it just a hint of sweetness without having a strong banana flavor.  The banana keeps the loaf very moist, and it's not as dense as I though it would be.   It has a real nice crumb and a tender crust.  This bread is easily cuts into nice eve slices.   Oh - it was really good with some extra-crunchy peanut butter and a little honey.  I'm looking forward to making nice gooey grilled cheese sandwiches with it.
     One of the best things I've learned is that you can freeze bananas.  This is great tip for buying very ripe bananas when they've been reduced and freezing for use in a normal banana nut bread.  I love having a bag of frozen bananas so I can easily whip up a quick banana nut bread.  The worst part is the bananas are very slimy when they thaw.   I told my friend Rhonda about freezing bananas.  She was a little skeptical at first.  She was even more so when they thawed for use.  Rhonda did say the thawed bananas made the best banana nut bread she ever made. 
     Rhonda was our Family and Consumer Science teacher (aka Home Ec) at St. Bernard High School.  At the end of the school year, her Nutrition and Foods classes would cook a wonderful full course  meal.  The table would be set with linens and china.  The students were allowed to choose two teachers to attend.  The other counselor, Keri, and I were lucky enough to be chosen several times.  (This really annoyed our principal that the kids did not choose her.  Of course, Keri and I had to rub it in.)  The students would serve us the meal they expertly planned and executed.  Rhonda was obviously a good teacher, because the students always did an excellent job in showing what they learned.  I used to love to visit Rhonda's classes year round, but Easter time was always my favorite.  Not because it was when Rhonda had her chocolate unit, and she would feed me homemade Easter eggs.  Not because the aroma of sweets that wafted through the room.  Not because the atmosphere in her room was charged with enthusiasm and decorated for the holiday.  Instead of making chocolate bunnies, Rhonda had a chocolate mold of a bunny pushing a handcart, and that was what the students would make as the centerpiece for their baskets.  The students would decorate there chocolate bunny carts with a variety of  royal icing decorations.  I could always find at least one student who would use two different color flowers on the spokes of the cart wheels.  This would drive Rhonda crazy, and make me laugh with mischief.  I can still hear her telling the students, "Don't do it.  Don't listen to her.  I'll take points off.  Ms. Belles is a trouble maker."  That is why Easter was my favorite time to visit Rhonda's room.  Ah - good times.