You can mash up bananas to get to a little more than 150 grams (5 ounces). That is the amount of dates we use but we also use a little water for grinding. Since bananas already have the moisture, you can just add a little more banana. Have you tried the Banana Nut Bread? Some of our viewers have made it without the egg and it’s worked for them.

Honestly, we have never used a micro-grill oven combo but all ovens work differently. Whenever you see time and temperature in a recipe, it is only a guideline. You really have to experiment with your oven to determine if it is more or less powerful.

Regarding your question about pre-heating…yes, you do have to preheat your oven if you intend to bake. You do not need to preheat if you want to broil something (heat coming from top for quick browning).

If your cake is browning too fast at the top, then definitely use a lower temp than what the recipe states.

the manual says:

microwave mode 500W.200W
Oven Mode: 1100W

Could it be that 170degrees was too high a temperature for such high power?

here is the pic

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/105137142858961222329/20100509?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2tvPPuioacPA#5469103023872020386

the dark-brown(slightly burnt) layer is thin and easily peeled off. the portion under looks like the right hand portion of cake.

I have a question on general-baking. Do all ovens require some pre-heating? I have micro-grill-oven combo thing(15L).

I baked a cake first time in Oven mode yesterday and I pre-heated the oven at 170 deg for 10 minutes.

But when I placed the batter-tin(15cm steel) inside, the top crust of the cake cooked quite quickly and became extra brown(overcooked or slightly burnt). I had to stop the oven after 25 minutes (though the recipe required 30-35min baking time)..

Finally, when i took the cake out, the top crust was oven-done as mentioned above but the rest of the cake was just perfect(soft,pongy n yummy)…

wjat cold have gone wrong with the top crust here? Pre-heating issue or anything else?

thanks..