A few weeks ago, my husband spotted a mourning dove sitting in the corner of our back patio. The bird was hiding in a shadow behind a planter, standing very still, trying its best to go unnoticed. When we approached the dove startled, but didn’t fly away. We could tell her wing was injured.
We watched her, wondering what to do. We’re both animal lovers, and the thought of this little bird in pain broke our hearts. I considered trying to capture her so I could bring her to the vet, but she was very skiddish– each time we got close, she spooked and hobbled away. In the end, we decided to give her food and water, hoping for the best.
We lined up a few planters to give her more protection. We have three parrots, so food wasn’t a problem– I scattered some birdseed near the planters and placed a small dish of water nearby. After making sure she had plenty to eat and drink, we walked inside and spied on her from our kitchen window.
Several minutes later, she timidly hobbled over to the dish and sipped the water with her beak. She drank for a long time, then began to peck at the seeds. My heart bloomed, as it always does when I see a child or animal eating. The mother in me loves nothing more than giving nourishment to others.
For the next week we kept a close eye on the dove, feeding her and refilling her water daily. My dog Marley was banned from the back yard, which made him very unhappy, but the last thing an injured dove needs is a big goofy labrador sniffing at it.
As the week progressed, other birds discovered that our patio was an endless source of manna. Blue jays and robins made frequent appearances, tucking into the birdseed like they’d won the lottery. Little mourning dove cowered in the corner quietly, waiting for them to steal their share. We always made sure that she had enough.
A few times, we saw her stretching her wings and walking around, as though testing her newfound strength. She became more adventurous, toddling out beyond the planters to the edge of the patio.
And then, one morning, she was gone. I panicked, wondering if a coyote had gotten to her. We live in the Hollywood Hills, where any number of creatures might have seen the mourning dove as an easy meal. We searched the entire back yard, but she was nowhere to be found.
We hoped that perhaps, by some miracle, her wing had healed and she’d been able to fly away. Maybe we would never know for sure.
Then, a couple of days later, there she was– perched on the back of a patio chair, calm as can be, as though waiting for us to come out and say hello. I didn’t want to get too close and startle her, but I was able to get a picture with my zoom lens. Here she is:
She stayed for a few hours. At one point she hopped to the planter and nestled there, peering down at the corner where she’d spent her recovery. I scattered birdseed and she nibbled at it. Then, as the sun began to set, she flew away. We haven’t see her since.
I believe she came back to say thank you. She knew what we’d done to help her. Such a simple moment, but it reminded me of how every creature in our world is connected. What a gift that we could offer this little bird shelter, nourishment, and ultimately life. It was a blessing.
This story has very little to do with baked goods, but I wanted to share a recipe with you today – Greek Yogurt Banana Nut Bread. I’ve cut most of the butter and added Greek yogurt, applesauce, smashed bananas and nuts to my standard quick bread recipe.
The result is a super moist, spongy, low fat banana bread with a terrific texture. It’s a tasty and foolproof quick bread that is lower in calories than traditional banana bread. It’s also terrifically yummy– sweet, but not overly so. If you like your banana bread cake-sweet, add another 1/4 cup of sugar. I like it as written.
If our little mourning dove still lived on our patio, I’d treat her to a few crumbs in with her birdseed.
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Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 pound very ripe bananas, mashed (about 3)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (whole, 2% or nonfat)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash cloves
- Dash nutmeg
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- Nonstick cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Cut the butter into small chunks and place in a large mixing bowl along with the sugar and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat together the butter and sugar for a few minutes. Make sure the butter is fully integrated into the sugar and the mixture becomes small, even sized crumbs.
- Add the eggs and applesauce to the bowl and continue to mix till smooth.
- In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork till smooth. Add the mashed bananas, Greek yogurt, and vanilla to the bowl. Use a spatula to stir the mixture till smooth.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves and nutmeg. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet to make a thick batter. Don't over mix-- a few lumps are okay.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Grease two loaf pans with nonstick cooking oil spray. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
- Bake the banana bread for 45-55 minutes, turning once halfway through baking, till the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. If the top of the bread browns faster than it bakes, cover with foil for the remainder of baking time.Let the loaves cool for 10 minutes in their pans, then put them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm... with tea, perhaps, or a pat of melty butter. This bread is so comforting, a wonderful baked treat to have on hand for unexpected guests. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil to keep moist; store in the refrigerator if you will be keeping it longer than a few days.
NOTES
Nutrition
Just pinned this recipe – it looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Sweet story…Your recipe is a delicious guilty pleasure with cold cream cheese, yummy 🙂
Inspiring story! Congratulations on making the foodbuzz Top 9!
BTW, I could’ve sworn I saw you do a cooking demonstration on a San Francisco area TV station a couple of months ago. Am I imagining this?
Hey, thanks DB! Yes, you’re remembering correctly, I used to appear on ABC 7Live there as a food guest. Unfortunately 7Live has been cancelled (too bad, it was a terrific show), but I do hope to line up more gigs in the Bay Area soon. 🙂
Loving this!! Looks so moist! I want to slather it in peanut butter!
Awe, what a sweet story. We’re also animal lovers who wake up to the enthusiastic kisses of an 20 lb. furball ready to run out and chase her ball. Love the lightened up banana bread, too. Now I just need a cup of tea!
This looks awesome! Nicely done 🙂
This banana bread is delicious. I made it to give as a gift, and fortunately it makes two…one to keep!
Love your recipes and essays.
BNW
Thank you Barbara! So pleased that you liked the bread. It does make a great gift!
I loved your story of helping the little dove. And yes it does reminds we are all connected. Your banana bread recipe sounds wonderful, I can’t wait to try it. I always get so much more from your blog than just recipes.
Love this version. I collect banana bread recipes and didn’t have this one although I do have one that uses unsweetened applesauce, one for yogurt, one for sour cream, etc. I haven’t used nutmeg in one either but I can imagine it would add to the flavor. Thank you!
sounds delicious! Can you adapt it for a wheatless diet? What can be used instead of the flour??
Hi Bmaysch, I haven’t tried this one gluten free yet– if I try it with GF flour, I’ll be sure to let you know the results!
Have you read The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman yet? It’s an insightful, historical novel about the lives of four women in ancient Israel.
Looking foward to trying this recipe, as I have never made a quick bread with both applesauce and yogurt before.
Hi Jayne! No, I haven’t read The Dovekeepers yet, but it is on my must read list. Masada is one of my favorite places in the world, and if we’re thinking of the same book, I believe the story takes place there. I’m thinking of taking it on my next trip when I have some time for pleasure reading.
Can I use canola oil instead of the butter?
Hi Mrs. Rooney– Yes! You can use canola oil, no problem. The butter just gives it an extra touch of creamy yumminess.
You are such a gentle soul! Each time I cook from your recipes I am reminded to embrace all that is right with the world and to spread love when and where I can.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness.
Betty
So happy you all enjoyed this story! I wasn’t exactly sure how to connect it to anything that I’ve cooked, but I really wanted to tell it because it’s been on my mind for weeks. Thank you for reading!
What a beautiful story! It’s great to know that there are people out there who care.
And the banana cake is just my type – the bananas over here aren’t great in the summer so I’ll wait with trying this one out until the fall, please God.
Have a wonderful week!
What a lovely story.
I can’t wait to try your banana bread recipe! I am a huge fan of swapping yogurt and applesauce for fat when baking. This is just my cupid tea.
I loved your bird story also love your recipe for Banana Bread
Banana bread is a favorite in our house – love the lightened-up version. I lightened up a fresh fruit crisp this morning – my biggest critic and fan – my daughter – gave it a thumbs up!
Great meeting you this past weekend.
You too Beth! So much fun! xo
I loooove this idea! Yum!
I’ve made banana bread with all butter, yummy. I’ve made it with all apple sauce, tastes good, but too dense. Reverted back to the all butter. I can’t wait to try this lighter version!
Kari, I think you will find that this provides a nice balance. I couldn’t resist adding a bit of butter in there, but the Greek yogurt and applesauce combo really does lighten it up. Let me know how you like it!
Love the way you present your recipes.
Thanks Ted!
YOU are so special! Of all your recipes you are the best treat. You are indeed a blessing. It’s after 4 a.m. and I am up as I suffer with severe chronic pain and enjoyed your story about the dove so much. You are an inspiration. May all the blessings you extend to others return to you tenfold. Wishing you endless joy.
Thank you so much Darlene, you are very kind! I hope you find some relief for your pain, will keep you in my prayers.