Well, I have had a very busy last couple weeks. Between organizing my closet, taking some pictures off my wall, watching season 4 of Weeds on DVD, and doing homework, it’s obvious why I haven’t had the time to bake anything! Not to mention a weekend jaunt to Colorado for my cousin’s wedding. The wedding was small, set in the mountains, and involved lots of descent food and obscure family members. And of course, the open beer-and-wine bar which quickly became my best friend. When I set off on my Colorado adventure, I left a care package of chocolate chip chocolate chunk cookies on the counter for my roommate (who is the biggest life saver ever because she watched my Twilah Bear for the whole weekend) and another bag of the same cookies for her lovely boyfriend and his roommate (my two new favorite people because they are boys and dutifully eat everything I send to them). I didn’t blog about those cookies but they were based off of my momma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe except I used dark chocolate chips and I chopped up some semisweet chocolate chunks. Um, yum. Plus, they turned out great, judging by the wonderful text message review I received while I was in CO.
I came home from the busy weekend stuffed full of more cake then I will ever eat again, and ready to start getting ready for class (my class starts next Monday on my mom’s birthday, so shed a tear for me please). I received a hint from my roommate’s boyfriend’s roommate (don’t get lost!) that some banana bread would be appreciated…yes, a bit out of line. I get turned off quickly by requests because there is a spiteful side of my personality that would rather have people just eat whatever I serve them and they should be appreciative and not ask for something else, unless it’s their birthday and they have earned a request. After shaking off the shock of getting a request (we only just met!) I realized that I absolutely love banana bread and have bananas in the freezer just for that purpose and maybe I happen to be wanting banana bread too…so it’s ok for me to make it because it is essentially for me and I know someone who will eat it. I think I have this attitude (it’s not my fault!) because baking is something I love and to give someone my baked goods is like giving them a very special gift and I want them to realize that is a gift of love. It’s special. Anyways, I guess I could move past my attitude a bit and be flattered that he likes my baking enough to make requests…
(for me)
I called my mom for the recipe she and my grandma use because that’s what I consider “real” banana bread (reference discussion from banana walnut cake). I whipped up a batch of the batter and added walnuts (that’s how it’s done) and poured it into my loaf pan. And the joy of having a smaller-than-standard loaf pan? Extra batter! I mixed a few chocolate chips into the glob of extra batter and poured it into a small ramekin…for me. So the standard loaf is for the boys, the mini one for me.
(for the boys)
Plus, Miss Mango is in the oven proofing for another loaf! Back to baking!
