Before I get to the recipe of this MOST delicious bread, feast your eyes upon this beautiful magnolia! The previous owners of the manse planted a magnolia tree in the back forty, where there is little sun. I've nurtured this little tree, watered, fed and begged it to bloom and for years there's been nothing but leaves. This morning I walked out back to check on the tomatoes - nary a one - and saw this huge white thing down below...and much to my surprise I discovered not one, not two but THREE huge magnolia flowers! And not only that there are many more just about to bloom! I just did a little happy dance right there, along with the forest nymphs...I LOVE magnolias! When we lived in Arkansas the mister bought me a magnolia tree and planted it right outside the kitchen window...so I could gaze upon it's beauty as I sweated over a hot stove preparing his meals...we moved before it could bloom. I've waited 18 years for this tree to bloom...this is the third good thing to happen in as many days...not that I'm superstitious or anything but perhaps I should start wearing garlic around my neck ...
On to the bread...when my mom had her last hurrah with her job, (before she retired she was the Director of the International Association of Plastics Distributors) her last meeting was held on the Big Island of Hawaii and my sister and I managed to get in on the action. While we were there we ate our share of macadamia nuts, among other things, - it would have been rude not to - and had ourselves a continual laugh-fest. Since that time, whenever I want to bring a little "island" into the forest, I make this Tropical Nut Bread...it's so good that one bite will evoke thoughts of waves crashing on the volcanic rock beaches...island breezes gently swaying the palms...Mai Tai's with umbrellas served pool-side...Don Ho and Tiny Bubbles and King Kamehameha singing comeoniwannalayya...
But don't take my word for it...make it yourself. After it's out of the oven and completely cooled, if you can be strong, wrap the bread in plastic and let it sit on your counter for at least one day, or two if you are really strong, because the flavor only improves - then slice it and serve - it will be gone faster than locusts can clear a prairie.
Tropical Nut Bread - Hawaiian Plantations Recipe Collection
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (8 1/4 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup mashed bananas
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped macadamia nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a one pound loaf pan. Sift dry ingredients together and set aside. Combine pineapple, banana and orange juice and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Add a small amount of the flour mixture alternately with the fruit mixture, mixing only enough to moisten the flour. Stir in macadamia nuts and pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Makes 1 loaf. 
"I am part of all that I have met." Alfred Lord Tennyson
