Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 105 - Heavenly Banana Bread


Today we worked on banana bread.  If you read yesterday's blog; today's could have been labeled "Mommy, I want to help too, Day 2."  Clark really does like helping in the kitchen.  Today he pulled his bench over and wanted to help with every process.  I was able to take some nice photos of him demonstrating proper measuring methods.  In the picture above he is stirring or "airing" the flour with a fork.

Then use a spoon to spoon flour into the measuring cup.  Careful . . .  Mommy did the final step of leveling off the cup with a knife.  He also helped mash the bananas - come on how is that not fun for a 3 year old!  While I was mixing he handed me the ingredients in order.  I couldn't ask for a better assistant!


Here is the finished product.  Let me tell you this bread tasted fantastic!  Now, I did have the champion banana bread at the ISF a couple of years ago.  I really didn't think I could find a recipe I would like better (which is the recipe I use all the time) but this one topped it in my book.  It was very moist with good flavor.  The funny thing is this was a health conscious recipe.  I believe the honey probably made a difference.  Next time I want to try it with walnuts for the banana bread with nuts class.  The only minor change I need to make is to leave it in just a little longer - the middle top was slightly underdone.  The boys gave it their vote of approval.   Snack time was a great hit this afternoon!  Grant LOVES banana bread but he really gobbled up this one!  Maybe it's because he hasn't had it for a little while OR maybe it's because he really loved the new recipe!

I must admit quick breads in general challenge me.  It never fails that I somehow over beat or do something wrong and they end up with no height.  Flat quick breads are not pretty.  This one did a nice job of gaining height.  Will have to try a few other quick breads and see if I have finally gotten the method down - ha - I am sure I'll still end up with some "for family only" breads!

In other news, I spent time discussing jams and jellies with my mom.  She is spending the night tonight in order to watch Clark in the morning while we take Grant to the hospital early in the morning to have his tear duct probed (for the second time).  Hopefully this time it works.  Anyway, good jam ideas and tips tonight.  I'll have to get into the tips more in a later blog after I prepare some jam.

Finally, worked on transplanting tomatoes.  I realize I started way too many plants.  The seeds were from packages dating back 5 - 7 years ago.  I didn't think the germination rate would be as good as it was.  Hmm, I like processing but still I don't think I need 100+ plants!

Tomatoes anyone?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this information about your banana bread. I too, got an overall champion, "MY FIRST TIME OUT". I encourage you to enter all the banana bread contests. I entered every quick bread recipe that was available. I had county fair experience, and there...the judge talked to us and told us..."ALWAYS GET NEW BAKING SODA AND POWDER FOR THE FAIR"! (That may be why in past baking, your breads became flat)! Did they tell you when you won, that you can't have "ears" on your breads? (the corners and edges need to be round). The second year I went to the state fair, I won first in almost every quick bread. My most accomplished was the first year, when there was a Chiquita banana contest, (but I didn't know it), and there were 77 entries! (I use an extract...hint, hint, to enhance the flavor). I agree with the good/pure extracts...it makes ALL the difference. Good luck! Mary :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this information about your banana bread. I too, got an overall champion, "MY FIRST TIME OUT". I encourage you to enter all the banana bread contests. I entered every quick bread recipe that was available. I had county fair experience, and there...the judge talked to us and told us..."ALWAYS GET NEW BAKING SODA AND POWDER FOR THE FAIR"! (That may be why in past baking, your breads became flat)! Did they tell you when you won, that you can't have "ears" on your breads? (the corners and edges need to be round). The second year I went to the state fair, I won first in almost every quick bread. My most accomplished was the first year, when there was a Chiquita banana contest, (but I didn't know it), and there were 77 entries! (I use an extract...hint, hint, to enhance the flavor). I agree with the good/pure extracts...it makes ALL the difference. Good luck! Mary :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this information about your banana bread. I too, got an overall champion, "MY FIRST TIME OUT". I encourage you to enter all the banana bread contests. I entered every quick bread recipe that was available. I had county fair experience, and there...the judge talked to us and told us..."ALWAYS GET NEW BAKING SODA AND POWDER FOR THE FAIR"! (That may be why in past baking, your breads became flat)! Did they tell you when you won, that you can't have "ears" on your breads? (the corners and edges need to be round). The second year I went to the state fair, I won first in almost every quick bread. My most accomplished was the first year, when there was a Chiquita banana contest, (but I didn't know it), and there were 77 entries! (I use an extract...hint, hint, to enhance the flavor). I agree with the good/pure extracts...it makes ALL the difference. Good luck! Mary :)