Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana Bread Mix and Sun-Maid Raisins are Sweeter Together!

When my friend Samantha at Concord Foods asked if I might develop a

recipe for their Chiquita™ Banana Bread Mix and Sun-Maid Raisins...

Well, I could not say Yes fast enough! I mean, I already have a little bit of

experience working with Samantha and, all the products she's sent me

have been incredible! Last year around this time I was fortunate to have

been introduced to Concord Foods' Cranberry Bread mix, which by the

way, is making another appearance on our holiday dessert table this year!

When Concord Foods promised their Chiquita™ Banana Bread mix

and Sun-Maid Raisins are Sweeter Together, it kinda got me to

thinking... Thinking about the goodness of sweet, plump Sun-Maid

raisins and how incredibly well they play with rum and maple syrup...

And, since Chiquita™ bananas are already a staple at breakfast in our

house, why not bring them together in French toast? Why not indeed!

As you saw, I created lots of delicious semi-un-banana-bread-like treats,

such as Madeleine cookies and caramelized cakelettes. But more on those

later... Right now, let's create my Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana

Bread French Toast with warm Sun-Maid rum raisin maple syrup!

First, I baked up a loaf of Concord Foods' perfect,

quick and really easy Chiquita™ Banana Bread...

Trust me, as soon as you open the package you'll know this isn't your

average banana bread mix by the sweet aroma of fresh, ripe bananas!

This Banana Bread is on its own delicious and exceptionally

moist, which of course means you can enjoy a little now...

And, save a little for my Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana Bread French Toast!

Simply whisk together three large eggs, 3/4 cups heavy cream or

milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of

fresh ground nutmeg, a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of orange juice!

In a large skillet, melt three tablespoons

of unsalted butter over medium heat...

Place banana bread into a shallow dish

that you've filled half way with the egg mixture...

Coat both sides of the banana bread, allowing to soak a minute per side...

Transfer to skillet and...

Fry until slices are golden brown. About three minutes per side!

Be prepared to be delighted by the smell of sweet bananas and

the deep, comforting aroma of warm cinnamon and nutmeg!

Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana Bread Mix

makes a beautiful French Toast, don't you agree?

But wait... We're not quite finished yet!

In a heavy-bottom saucepan, over medium low heat,

add one cup pure maple syrup, half a cinnamon stick,

five whole cloves, 2-3 pinches of fresh grated nutmeg...

And, when sugar has melted, add 1/3 cup Sun-Maid Raisins that

have soaked in 1/3 cup dark rum and hour or if you have the time,

over night. Allow this sweet concoction to simmer 10 minutes!

Remove cloves and cinnamon stick and drizzle rum-raisin

maple syrup over my banana bread French toast!

That's better!

I served this to my love on the deck this morning...

And, he's been thanking me ever since!

Now, about those desserts I promised to tell you about...

Often, I find that when I'm listening, the food I'm

working with will actually tell me what it wants to be!

And, this second batch of Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana

Bread mix mix was screaming to become caramelized banana

bread cakelettes and banana bread madeleine tea cookies!

To create caramelized banana bread cakelettes, simply butter

baking pan and sprinkle with a pinch or two of light brown sugar!

Adding a little powdered sugar to my rum-raisin maple syrup made

the perfect glaze for these caramelized banana bread cakelettes!

My banana bread Madeleine tea cookies turned out equally

delicious... Rich, moist banana centers with sweet, crispy edges!

I hope you'll try Concord Foods Chiquita™ Banana Bread Mix and

pick up some Sun-Maid Raisins too. After all, you deserve food like this!

Disclaimer: Concord Foods generously provided products and compensation for the development of these recipes. However, all opinions are (as always) my own!