1.   A ripe banana contains no fat yet comprises one quarter sugar -- ounce for ounce, bananas contain the same amount of calories as cottage cheese.

2.   And when it comes to dressing up a chocolate cake mix, Byrn lists ripe bananas, sour cream, peanut butter and pecans as great additions.

3.   First, mash one ripe banana.

4.   Green bananas breathe slowly, Corriher says, but ripe bananas breathe very fast.

5.   Hebenstreit also has a piece of toast, spread with ripe banana and orange marmalade.

6.   In a large bowl, blend together oil, brown sugar, ripe bananas, eggs and milk.

7.   Inside, it is layered with thin slices of very ripe banana, a dash of cinnamon and ground ginger, and a healthy pinch of fleur de sel.

8.   Ripe bananas are excellent.