Preheat the oven to 170 °C/325F/gas 3. Grease and flour a 23x13cm loaf tin. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger into a medium bowl and stir in the wholemeal flour, set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and creamy (1-2 minutes).

Gradually beat in the sugar until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in the mashed bananas and then the eggs; do not worry if the mixture looks curdled. Stir in the flour alternately in batches with the hot water until just combined. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared tin, smoothing the top evenly. Bake until well risen and dark golden brown, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Because this is a very moist quick bread, a fine skewer will not come out clean. Remove the tin to a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes, then turn out on to the rack, top side up.

To glaze, stir the icing sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Drizzle over the loaf and allow to set completely.

reserved.

Carlton Food Network http://www. Cfn. Co. Uk/