Banana Bread (again)

Yes, I've already posted an banana bread recipe--but it wasn't mine.   It was someone else's that I wanted to make a couple of years ago, and while it was very good, it wasn't what I usually make.
Since Saturday was National Banana Bread day and I had very (VERY) dark bananas, I decided to make some and  I thought I might as well post it.  It's the same banana bread that my mom makes--the one we have made for years.

Let me back track just a little bit here--because I've said this before--but it seems to me, most of the time, that people who like to cook don't always have a signature recipe because we like to try new things constantly.  
People who don't really like to cook, find a recipe that they like and stick with it for the rest of their lives.  And then they become famous for them.
I resent them for that---I'm just sayin'.  I mean, some of my best friends who hate to cook, get asked to bring that 'special dish' all the time.  Then they look at me and think  'who the hell knows what she'll bring!'  (ahhh, but they like it because it's always good!  Well, most of the time.  I am brave enough to bring a never before made dish to someone's home.  Turns out great--99% of the time)

Okay, now I'm off my rant!   My point?  That maybe I should stick with the tried and true also, because I know it's always going to be a hit.
Speaking of hits....
This is the banana bread that my mom has made for years, as have I.  It's a good moist banana bread. I gave half to my son and his wife, because otherwise, the  Handyman and I would have eaten ALL OF IT.  And believe me, we don't need to be doing that.   It is on a splattered old recipe card  (You could see it if you followed the Friday Friends on facebook), but that just  means it's been used and loved, right?

Banana Bread
from Debbie's mom

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sour milk  (we just do the homemade buttermilk thing--milk with a splash of lemon juice in it and let it set for about  5 minutes)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mashed bananas

Combine ingredients in order given, adding bananas last.  Bake in a loaf pan at 350 for an hour.

That's it in a nutshell.  
But...be sure and mix the sugar and shortening before adding eggs, then mix again, then add the dry ingredients.  
I had to figure that out for myself when I was very young!
And grease and flour the loaf pan, or the two loaf pans
You can add nuts if you want to.  I like them, but no one else does.

Monday Morning Thoughts

Good morning!

While cleaning out some drawers this weekend, I found this quote that I had saved.  (I don't know who wrote it so I can't give them credit, but I do know it wasn't me)

People who read books are different from other people.  They're smarter for one thing.  They're more sensual for another.  They like to hold, touch and smell what they read.


I must have saved it because it describes me.  (That was a joke)

Yesterday, the Handyman and I took a quick trip to  Reno, where, among other things we went to Barnes and Noble, where I picked up this book:

It was just a random grab as I was walking by the shelves.  Some of my best reads have been random grabs.
But anyway, this is a book of essays, by writers, telling about their favorite places to browse, read and shop.   (a bit ironic that they are talking mostly about  independent bookstores and I purchased it at a big chain.  Shame on me.)
I read the first essay on the way home  (I wasn't driving--don't worry) and I cried. Not like big sobs, but I got teary eyed about the love we can have for bookstores.
Truly, people who aren't bookworms- book nerds, cannot understand that feeling.   The Handyman doesn't---he just laughs and shakes his head.  He likes to read a book, but he doesn't --well, he just isn't---a bookworm, like me.

I can't wait to read the rest of the essays!  

Do you have a favorite bookstore?  Where you liked to browse, read and shop?

Well, hello there! (and chocolate chip cookie #8)

Hmmmm.... I don't really know how to start.  I've been missing in action for a couple of months and a couple of months before that too.

I'm not sure what I want to do with this blog. Cooking/food? Books?  Random thoughts?

Oh...that's what I was doing.  I just haven't been doing it lately.

I guess I'll just jump right in.... and give you an update in my life, in a nutshell.

1)  I've read 16 books since the first of the year.  I have not blogged about a single one of them ... and there were some great books too!

The one that has stuck with me the most is  "The Light Between Oceans"

It was a great book, but it left me feeling horrible!   Yes, a book can leave you with conflicting emotions.  I was very bothered by a decision in this book... I cannot tell you which one, because I would spoil the story for you, but it's not the most obvious one  (there are more than a few bad choices by characters in the book).  For days, I rewrote a certain part of the book in my mind---this, of course, is why I'm not an author---because my reworking of the story made  the plot too obvious and common.   It was a great read. Check it out if you haven't already.

2) I am keeping up on my goal of working my way thru this cookbook to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie  (none as good as my mom's yet)

This cookie was  #8 in the blog countdown  (okay, yes, I am working my way thru very, VERY slowly)  but #6 in the cookbook.

I made notes to what  I did.  This was a pretty good little cookie.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies VI

1 cup unsalted butter  (to be honest I just use what I have on hand and most of the time it's regular butter--with salt)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup granulates sugar

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed

2 large eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp warm water

24 oz (4 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips.  (I used 12oz)

2 cups walnut pieces  ( I used one cup)

Cream butter.  Add vanilla, salt and sugars, beat until light and fluffy.   Add eggs and beat well.

Dissolve baking soda in warm water.  Add baking soda mixture and flour to creamed mixture, beating just until all the flour is blended in. Stir in chocolate and walnuts.  Do not overmix.

Bake at  375F for about  10 minutes, until light brown.  

3) This morning, I thought I was going crazy.  I thought the Handyman had left for work.  It was early---like  7:20. He opens at   7 on weekdays,  9 on Saturdays--I can remember him telling me he was going up to take a shower, but then I guess I just forgot about him.  Oops.  I was busy doing my 'stuff'.  Making a list, cleaning the fridge,  having my coffee, carrying my book around.  I sat down at the computer and I heard water running upstairs.   I thought GREAT, WE HAVE SOME KIND OF LEAK.  Then I heard someone walking around.  It scared me!    I really had forgotten he was still here and it really frightened me.
But for just about  30 seconds.

Menopause?
Alzheimer's?
Crazy as a Loon?

I can't figure it out, but it must be one of the above.

(This is fun....it's kind of nice to be back)

 

 

This week's  Booking Through Thursday question asks:
do you like to give books as gifts?

My answer?
Why yes, of course I do.  I want to share all the good ones I've read, and surprise people with books about things they've mentioned in passing.   (I try to remember stuff like that)  Book cards/gift cards are okay, but I love to give a book!
I don't think it's hard to give a book as a present, at all....books and book related things are all good.

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so, having answered that---Hello. I've been gone for a couple of months. Only from the blogging world  (Like I've said before,  you guys amaze me, those of who post every day or so--AMAZING.)  But just when I'm ready to come back, blogger is having some problems.  When I try to upload a picture,  I cannot find a browse button.   I've looked on Google a bit and it said they are trying to find a solution.  They gave a couple of other ideas for uploaded pictures, but it sounds like a lot of work to me.
Hopefully they'll be back on track soon, so that I can get back on track too.

PS  is anyone else having these same kinds of problems?

Butter Rum-Glazed Applesauce Cake

I can only say one thing about this cake--YUM!!  That is if you like an applesauce cake and the flavor of butter-rum lifesavers.  (and who doesn't like butter-rum lifesavers??)

And talk about easy!   This is one of the easiest cakes to make.  When you look at the directions there seem like a lot of steps, but really, it takes no time at all. 
I took this small cake to our   "Friday Night Friends"  (standing dates for supper--we've been getting together for years on  Friday nights if we have no other plans) and everyone loved it. 

It's not fancy at all, so if you are looking for a fancy dessert, this is not it---this one is just plain, simple and good.   Applesauce cake is such a throwback to when I was growing up.  It even sounds  old-fashioned.  I mean,  when was the last time someone served you an applesauce cake?    My grandma used to make an applesauce cake--it was so moist and dense and  I loved the taste of  cinnamon--and this reminded me of that cake, but she didn't glaze hers... we just ate big pieces without frosting.  Using the glaze brings the taste to a whole new level for me. It was so good.

It is my opinion that you should bring it back--bring the old-fashioned cakes back!  And start with this simple 'butter rum glazed' one.  It will be a hit, I guarantee it.

I did not 'frost' the cake but just dolloped the glaze on top of each slice.  Also, my 'glaze' looks really thick, so perhaps I turned it into more of a frosting, but that's fine, more butter-rum flavor in each bite that way.
In the photo in the magazine  (Betty Crocker's  Best Loved Christmas recipes) they frosted the whole cake.  You can do what you want.

It's been good to do a post again.  I've been gone for a bit from the blogging world.  I just needed a little break I guess. I still am in awe of all of you who manage to have lives AND  do blog posts every day.

Butter Rum-Glazed Applesauce Cake
from Betty Crocker's Best Loved Recipes

Cake:
1/3 cup butter  (do not use margarine)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray.
In a 1 1/2 quart saucepan, melt 1/3 cup butter over medium heat. Cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until butter just begins to brown.   Immediately remove from heat. Stir in sugar, applesauce and vanilla.
In a large bowl, mix four, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in applesauce mixture.
Pour batter into pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Glaze:
2 Tbls butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp rum extract
3-4 tsp half and half or milk

In a  1 1/2 quart saucepan, melt 2 Tbls butter over medium heat. Cook about  3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until butter just begins to brown. Immediately remove from heat. Stir in remaining glaze ingredients until smooth. 
Pour glaze over warm cake.
Cool 30 minutes.  Serve warm.  Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired.

Saturday Snapshot

Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day

(I am singing this now as I type!   It will now be stuck in my head all day.  sigh.)

Last month our friends, the Cain's, invited us out on their boat.  April gives me a bad time about not being
1) a spur of the moment person  (I'm not--I need to work from a list)
2) an outdoor person  (she's wrong with this one. I LOVE to work in my yard and take long walks and do some short hiking AND we eat our supper out on the patio every night during the summer)

Okay, she might mean I don't like to do ADVENTUROUS stuff outdoors.  But I do love the outdoors--I think sunlight on water is the most beautiful sight in the world!!  I could take my book and sit by it all day long.  In the shade, with my good book, and sunglasses and sunscreen, BUT HECK, I do too love the sounds of all those other people being adventurous on the water!! 

So, when they invited us to spend the day on the water in their boat--after giving me a few days advance notice of course--I jumped at the chance!   It was just the 4 of us,  and we didn't ski or swim or anything  (thank goodness),  we just relaxed  and enjoyed the day. Outdoors!!  April took some crab salad and shrimp salad and I took some fresh bakery rolls to put it on.  We had fruit and cheese  and some snacks ,  magazines, books.... It was a Pontoon boat, so we even had space to sit back and take a little nap.  Which April and I did.   Doug did a little fishing-- It was a glorious day.

I bet a couple of you are wondering--how can they have enough water to go boating if they live in the desert?  There is a huge reservoir about 40 miles from here, that's how.  Yes, it is 'desert' boating--I'll show you pictures--which brings me to today's post SATURDAY SNAPSHOT.
I'm going to link up with Alyce from At Home  With Books and her Saturday Snapshot meme.
You should too.  It's fun.  All you have to do is share a picture (or two) that you or someone you know took.  (nothing pulled from the Internet or anything).  You can write as little or as much as you want about the photos. Then link up at her Blog and wah-la!  That's it.  It really is fun.

Wait---this is all coming back around--with the antelope song--I'm working it in.

While we were boating, we saw some antelope on the shore.  Can you see them? 

We go closer so I could get better pictures--that and I changed lenses too.
This was a 'cluster' of antelope.  Or a herd.   I looked up collective nouns because I think they are funny.  I mean, who ever heard of a cluster of antelope?

A couple  of them climbed to the top of the bluff.

This one was walking the wrong way--I was a bit worried about him, as he was leaving his friends.

And that is the end of what I am submitting to Saturday  Snapshot. 
What follows are just a few for my friends  (but you can look too if you feel like it)

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This is where we put the boat in.   Our lovely desert reservoir---it's huge tho.   22 miles long to be exact.  We went from the beginning  (here) to the end and back.  We saw birds and antelope and a beaver, whom we followed for a while to see where he was building his home.

There it is--SUNLIGHT on the water.  I love that sight.  And of course, April and the ol' Handyman.  ( did not, DID NOT say old.  I said  ol')

And Doug driving the boat.  We were just taking off from the boat ramp.

Just the desert as scenery.

And  a nap is always good in the afternoon!   (but I don't know how anyone can sleep on their stomach.  )

It was a great day! Thanks  Cains.

Lemon Graham Squares

Often,  even tho I love to cook and bake, my time seems very limited sometimes-- with work, social commitments and friends and family--so it's always a nice surprise  when I find a recipe that is really quick and really easy and most of all really good. 

I love the taste of lemon and these little graham cracker squares are packed with lemon flavor.  I used the juice a two lemons, but depending on how juicy your lemons are you might need a third.   This would be a great bar to take to potlucks, family gatherings, or to work--to woo your co-workers.   

Since it is just myself and the Handyman at home, and I have no co-workers, I had to give some of these bars away---to anyone who came thru my door. They would have been too dangerous to keep to myself.

The first day, the crust and the topping are  kind of crunchy or crispy and it is just right with the lemon filling.  I loved it.

The recipe doesn't say to, but I did keep them refrigerated after baking them--that creamy, lemony filling kind of begged to be refrigerated, but it does tend to make the graham crackers moist and not so crispy. Still good, but not as good as the day you bake them

Here's the thing tho--it's only a  9-inch pan, so if you have people over, they will get eaten all gone and then you don't have to worry about it!

I found these bar in the Taste of Home, Ultimate Cookie Collection cookbook. I've had this cookbook for about 5 years, but I think I glanced at it when I first got it and them it got stuck in a drawer or upstairs in a closet.  I had no room to keep all my cookbooks in one place.  Now that my kitchen is done,   I have been having so much fun looking thru old cookbooks...everything is displayed in my kitchen.  I've never had them all at my fingertips before---now they are all in sections, by theme, by author/chef--like I said,  SO MUCH FUN!

I'm really enjoying this cookie cookbook tho. 

Lemon Graham Squares
Taste of Home Ultimate Cookie Collection

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4  cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
dash salt
1/2 cup melted butter

In a bowl, combine the milk and lemon juice, mix well, set aside. In another bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in butter until crumbly.

Press half of the crumb mixture into a greased 9-inch square baking dish.  Pour lemon mixture over crust; sprinkle with remaining crumbs.   Bake at  375F for  20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. 
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Cut into bars.