Preheat oven to 375 degrees and prepare pan. In large bowl, cream with electric mixer:

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar

1 egg
1 c. mashed bananas
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 tbsp. hot water

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine wet and dry mixtures and fold together gently until just mixed. Spoon into prepared pan and decorate top of each muffin with a walnut half. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack.

VARIATIONS:

BANANA PRUNE: Add 1 cup chopped pitted prunes to the batter.

BANANA CAROB: Reduce sugar to 1/3 cup and add 1/4 cup carob powder to dry mixture. Omit nutmeg and add 1 teaspoon vanilla to wet mixture.

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP OR CAROB CHIP: Add 1/2 cup chocolate or carob chips to batter.