Prepare banana bread as directed below and let cool completely. When ready to make French toast, slice off the ends of banana bread. Slice the remaining loaf into 8 thick slices, about 3/4 inch thick, and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until combined. Pour into a pie tin or flat pan. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a griddle pan, or large skillet, over medium high heat. Dip 4 banana bread slices, on both sides, in milk mixture and place in hot pan. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes, then turn and cook other side until golden. Repeat with remaining butter and 4 slices of bread. Slice hot bread slices on a diagonal and serve 2 diagonals per person. Garnish each with slices of banana, dust with confectioners sugar, and maple syrup.

Banana Bread:

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9 X 5 loaf pan and set aside. Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl. Stir in sugar, eggs and oil until combined. Stir together flour, soda and salt. Add flour mixture, buttermilk and vanilla, then stir until just blended. Fold in nuts. Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 80-85 minutes, or until a tester inserted in center, comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on wire rack for 15 minutes, then turn out of pan and cool. Proceed with above directions for making banana bread French toast.