Banana Bread I

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan with cooking oil.

Peel the bananas and mash them thoroughly in a large bowl until smooth, then stir in the lime juice.

Pour the cooking oil into the mashed bananas and mix well, then add the sugar and stir until combined.

Beat the egg (if using) in a separate bowl and fold it into the banana mixture along with the vanilla.

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda to remove lumps.

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the banana mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and fold gently until just combined.

Fold in the chopped nuts if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.