Saturday, February 23, 2008

Today is National Banana Bread Day

According to Slashfood.com, today is National Banana Bread Day. Here in the south bananas are plentiful as we get boatloads of them daily. When not so plentiful, I let them get yucky looking and stick them in the freezer for a later date. Personally I like to eat them as is, on cereal and of course, in baking. I must have a half dozen recipes that I have made and like, so I just pick one and go for it. I like to use the mini baking pans and that way I take out one little one at a time. Course this is a good way to give some away to friends who love the bread but don't do much baking. You don't have to have a holiday to share this goodie.
The one recipe I like came from Food and Wine.com sometime last fall. This was posted there by the writer but came from Beth Hensperge--PILLSBURY COOKBOOK 1998. It is just one loaf pan but you can always use the minis and spread the dough into at least 3 small ones. Anyway it is one of my favorites which I am sure you have yours as well. I looked in my files for a picture but there were none. Imagine that!
I got my copy of the Southern Living 2007 Annual Cookbook. To say the least there are many recipes to enjoy but I was really dissappointed in that the pictures were like a centerfold only. I like to see the picture on the recipe page itself which makes me inclined to make it. See for yourself. One thing I did get by ordering it was a springform cheesecake pan with a recipe book as well. Yes, yes, I am definitely going to make myself something for Easter. This is going to be one of those rich, creamy ones with a cherry topping.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Valentine's Day is coming soon



Valentine's day is upon us and chocolate is upon us. This looks scrumptous and is so simple to make. They are called Chocolate Kumquat Spring Rolls and was posted Feb 9th, 2008 by Ellen Slattery at Slashfood. She in turn tells us the the recipe can be found at
Epicurious. So I will give you the ingredients and then you go check the how-to at Epicurious.
5 kumquats, cut into 1/4-inch slices and seeded, juices reserved 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1/8 teaspoon of salt
8 1/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Thirty-six 5-inch square spring roll wrappers
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Canola, vegetable, or other neutral oil for deep-frying
As noted, please read both articles as each has interesting info on these lucious, chocolatey items. This is a fantastic treat.
Here is a malt chocolate cupcake from Rachel Ray via Slashfood from Marisa McClellan. Rachel has her own site at Coconut&lime where she discusses and shows a picture of the cupcakes. She uses malted milk powder which gives a different taste but oooooh so good. These I am going to serve my family as a treat for Valentine's Day.
This info I found very interesting. The wierd use of foods. This covers a myriad of foods and how to use them in your daily life. Like using peanut butter to remove gum from a carpet, for example. There is a slideshow at
AOL, so I hope you can get to it. Let me know if you cannot and I will get some of the suggestions and add them to my site.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE!