StarChef Michael Smith pays this tribute to his mother with a Banana Nut Bread recipe.

"My mother's banana bread was always a welcome sight on the kitchen counter. I loved it best when she served it warm and just out of the oven. To this day, we use her recipes for dessert items on the menu."

• 1 and one-half cups granulated sugar
• One-half cup butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs, beaten till they are ribbon-like
• 4 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 3 bananas, mashed
• One-half cup pecans, lightly toasted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine granulated sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Beat till fluffy with a paddle attachment.

Add eggs and beat till ribbon. Sift together flour and baking soda.

Alternately add flour/soda and buttermilk. Add bananas. Add vanilla.

Dredge nuts in flour and add.