Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread

Remember my last post about the upcoming Ramadan 10k race that involved big prize money? Well, the prize money was doubled to 2.1 million AED (that’s 400.000 EUR or 540.000 USD). I ended up finishing 10th female. After doublechecking nationality and residency of each runner, I moved up to 8th female in the expat female category.

As no specifications were made upfront as to who would get how much money, I would not know if I was in the prizes. It’s been almost three weeks now since the race. My residency details have been checked three times. Now I am waiting….for that email…..that will tell me about the IF and HOW MUCH.
It’s summer and it’s Ramadan. In Dubai, those are sure signs of things moving very very slowly. I have no choice to sit and wait.

The actual race was great fun. It was extremely hot, around 38C/100F with very high humidity. Running paces were totally off due to the heat. The race started at 1045pm. Sheikh Hamdan himself, Crown Prince of Dubai, was there at the start. The announcement of the provisional first three in each category was at 0120am at night. A huge stage with DJ was set up to announce the winners and to entertain us while we were waiting. Almost festival atmosphere. Everything was so off what I usually do: a 10k race in July, running at 11pm at night, staying up til 2am in the morning….But well organized and thoroughly enjoyable. Now if that email would just come…

My running is back to base training. Lots of long slow runs. Nothing strenuous. I run by feel rather than let my running watch predict my pace. I find these slow runs very invigorating. It’s my favorite way of taking a rest.
Low heart rate training is the best thing you can do in the off-season. It boosts the metabolism and gives my legs a well-deserved break. I have a three week holiday in Greece to look forward to. Can’t wait to go run there. And look forward to Greek food too. Lots of yogurt, olives, fresh veggies, seafood….simple, straight forward food.

I have realized that I haven’t baked for a while. My last baked dessert post was in April. Not sure how that happened. It could possibly be explained that my diet has become simpler and more straight forward too. I am happy with plain nuts and seeds and a piece of fruit rather than processed dishes.

However, cravings come and go. And this chocolate banana bread I have made and perfected in several attempts. It certainly satisfies and sweet and chocolate cravings. And it’s amazingly simple to put together with an ingredients list that couldn’t be much shorter. I hope you enjoy!

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PALEO CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

(Print Recipe)

150g/1 1/2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana (ca. 2 large bananas)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Serves 8
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Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

In a large bowl, combine almond meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, cream of tartar and sea salt. Mix until well combined. Set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat the eggs until creamy. Then add mashed banana, honey and vanilla and mix some more. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Gently fold in until ingredients are just combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf tin. Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes. Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.