Dissolve yeast in a small bowl of warm water, I just sprinkle yeast on top of the warm water.  Place the bowl to the side and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes for yeast to get bubbly.

Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl. THEN ADD 1/2 cup COLD (not icy) water. This mixture should be warmish now but not hot.

Add bananas and stir in the yeast mixture.

Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time

Once all the flour is incorporated into the wet mixture...turn the flour ball out onto lightly floured surface.  Knead for 5-10 minutes, dough should be smooth.

Lightly coat the large mixing bowl in oil, turn the just kneaded dough into the bowl and roll it over once to coat the dough with oil.  Let rise in the bowl for about 1 hour or until double in size.

Punch dough down, turn out and knead again for 2-3 minutes.   Divide the dough into 2 balls.  Divide each ball into 3 sections and roll each section into long ropes and braid each loaf using the now 3 long braids.  You can make a long loaf or a ring.

RAISE the braided bread for 45 minutes.     Before you place loaves into the oven to bake......you can boil a little more water, brush the boiling water on the loaves and then sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds or sea salt.  I like it baked without brushing any water on the bread.   BAKE at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.    When tapped the loaf will sound hollow when done.     COOL 10 minutes before slicing.

ENJOY and here's to health!