Daily Ooos: Tuesday, April 26: The Banana Bread Edition

[faerywings]

This might be a really short start to the day, if so I will be back. I was all organized and set up with my to-do list. Right up there-- at the top was to make the appt and drop the car off for an oil change for today. Gary called and got the appt, said we would drop the car off after hours last night. Right before I started dinner, I asked him when we should run the car over, thought for a sec, and realized that we didn't have a car to get us back home. Bwuhahahah! Scott was at work, and Cait was at school. Whoops! We have to bring it first thing this morning which is basically as soon as Gary gets some coffee in him.

I am holding off on making an appt for the LLMD- Gary texted me when he got to his appt for the blood work-- asked if he should get it done, it was over $600 for three tests. *faints* I don't know if she would want to send my tests to the same labs, a lot of Lyme Drs/labs are not covered by insurance. Between the dr visit and then blood work- I could be looking at $1000. eep. If I was feeling awful (like Gary) I would do what I had to do, but I am feeling mostly pretty good.

And so much for me wanting to lose weight- I decided to make banana bread, had sooo many bananas in the freezer that I tripled the recipe. Gary said that it was the best ever- I made a few tweaks (half white sugar/half brown) and some margarine/shortening/butter combo. I usually use some combo of butter and oils- I have even used vegetable oil/butter combo and it always comes out the same. I wonder if the brown sugar would have made that much of a difference? Any chefs/cooking scientists have an idea?

I am going to throw some clothes on now, get ready to drop the car off, then pick up the grocery order a little while afterward. Then-- I am going to try to catch up on some desk work. It's raining so I should take the opportunity to chill a little, the next three days are going to be busy, Cleaning for my friend tomorrow, Dr appt with my mom on Thurs, and going to PA with Scott and my dad just for Friday. Scott and my dad had planned on doing some yard work and after Scott said that it would be the first time driving up there by himself, I offered to go with him. Not that he can't drive there by himself, just that he was either with me and Caitlyn or LL. Not to mention, now I can keep an eye on my dad, make sure he behaves!!

xoxoxoxo

 

[tanteva]

@faerywings Brown sugar have a special taste, almost some kind of caramellized. It can do wonders to stuff.

I've never made banana bread. It sounds yummy, but I have never understood if it's for sandwiches or if it's a cake of sorts. I.e. If I'm supposed to eat it with butter or with whipped cream for dessert. LOL

 

[faerywings]

@faerywings Brown sugar have a special taste, almost some kind of caramellized. It can do wonders to stuff.

I've never made banana bread. It sounds yummy, but I have never understood if it's for sandwiches or if it's a cake of sorts. I.e. If I'm supposed to eat it with butter or with whipped cream for dessert. LOL

Not for sandwiches, but with butter for breakfast plain/(whipped cream!) for dessert.
Here is the Recipe I use: Banana Bread
Instead of mayo, I use either low-fat sour cream or low-fat mayo. When I really tried to make it semi-healthy I used low-fat yogurt and half white flour and half whole wheat-- still tasted amazing.
I cut back on the sugar usually by 1/3-1/2 depending on my mood. Instead of 3 cups of white sugar, yesterday did 1 cup of white and 1 cup of brown.
The oil/shortening- like I said ^, also depends on my mood/what I have on hand. Never used only shortening, I bet coconut oil would be a good substitute too
Choc chips-- I mix semi-sweet and white, plus dark choc chips if I have them too. Chips and walnuts-- amounts are only a suggestion, I typically put in more than the recipe calls for.

I used 9 bananas and it made 1 doz muffins, one 8x8, and one loaf pan.

 

[tanteva]

I've never understood what shortening is, but any fat will do? Can I omit the chocolate? Sounds weird to have in bread & it's kinda hard to find. And ripe banana, does it mean really brown or would just spotted do?

 

[faerywings]

Oh-- I haven't used my banana bread to make this, but had it at a diner once-- French Toast made with banana bread-- to die for!

@tanteva hope that Urban's head is better today
Of course, this is the place to whine and hate on everything. Why do you think I start this every day??
I don't know which is worse, Microsoft or iTunes updates. Both suck. Were you able to get the setting figured out? If not I might be able to help.

@taxed4ever Sorry to hear that you had a crummy sleep and a rainy night but thank goodness the sun was out. How amazing to see the eagles. There have been several bald eagle "pairs" and babies in my town over the last 2-3 years and a local photographer always posts photos of them. I haven't seen them myself even though they are only a couple of miles from my house.
What a fab time with your sisters-- what lovely gifts!
I need to keep my phone by my bed, it is also my alarm clock. But I set up the Do Not Disturb settings again and also found a way to dim the clock which helped a lot last night.

@bcgal00 Oh no, poor Remi, that is always such a worry. Ray was notorious for eating her toys. It's funny now that I don't; have to worry about it, but in the winter- after the snow melted you could *always* tell where her poops were because all that was left were scraps of colorful fabric.

@BrightEyes I feel like a total Luddite trying to figure out the new features on this phone, sounds like you are going through the same with the TV. Good luck figuring it all out!
You are right, I would be the only one to notice if Cait's gown is wrinkled, and probably not even then I will be so proud. But darn it, it is giving me agita seeing it still in the bag on the table today LOL
Seriously *why* are eggs so expensive?? I am so lucky that we can usually get eggs at the FP (we have a farm nearby that donates). Eggs and frittatas were also a fab go-to for an inexpensive meal.

@Cherylndesigns how was sleeping last night, any better? hope so, you need your energy to be the O-Cheerleader! It is rainy and chilly here today, I swear, it is never going to feel like spring *wah!*

@Lynn Grieveson very smart of you to go on the trip with DH and what a fab bonus to see your parents!
Is there a point tint time that adulting *ever* gets easier? I doubt it hahaha

@tanteva yay for heat and hot water!!!! *fingers and toes crossed that the boiler thingy works until the new one comes in!

@bcgal00 MY HEART just dropped- the first and only words I saw was Remi passed. *deep breaths to get my pulse back to normal*
Whew, I am so glad.... whoo - feeling a bit dizzy here. I shouldn't have worried, it usually does all come out in the end. heh. (poor excuse for a joke, but best I could do )

@LSlycord Perfectionism is such a hang-up. I want to see that LO using the quote when it is done!
Are you counting down hours yet or still on days? That is awesome that your niece is dogsitting. The dogs will be so happy to get spoiled by her.

love to all!

 

[faerywings]

I've never understood what shortening is, but any fat will do? Can I omit the chocolate? Sounds weird to have in bread & it's kinda hard to find. And ripe banana, does it mean really brown or would just spotted do?

It's more cake than bread but I don't see why you couldn't leave out the choc chips (I also have chopped up leftover Halloween candy occasionally)
When bananas get brown, we throw them in a ziplock in the freezer and defrost them when we need them. They are usually brown and waterlogged so I drain them in a colander for a little while. This was one of the few times that I used "fresh" bananas but only 3 of the 9. They were more brown than spotted but not mushy inside. Does that help?

ETA: I have used margarine, butter, vegetable oil, and shortening in different batches. My usual is half margarine and half shortening.

ETA/ETA: I also add in a tsp or 2 of vanilla extract
(I think that is it for the edits for now LOL)

 

[tanteva]

I have 2 brown bananas. @faerywings Should I peel them before freezing them? Need to start collecting bananas to try this recipe. LOL

 

[tanteva]

We need to rename this thread to

"Daily Ooos: Tuesday, April 26 - The Banana Bread Edition"​

 

[faerywings]

I have 2 brown bananas. @faerywings Should I peel them before freezing them? Need to start collecting bananas to try this recipe. LOL

Nope, throw them in the freezer peel and all. What I do is take them out of the freezer an hour or so before I use them, throw them in the colander frozen. After they are almost defrosted, I peel them, put them back in the colander, and then let some of the extra liquid drain off

We need to rename this thread to

"Daily Ooos: Tuesday, April 26 - The Banana Bread Edition"​

View attachment 370298

ROTFLMBO!!
annnndddd... done!

 

[bcgal00]

Good morning ladies. I never did make the banana bread, I waited too long. The bananas were completely brown and yucky. I like to use them when they are half brown. Oh well. I had fun getting outdoors a lot and the banana bread can wait til later in the week. Bananas are cheap. I'll pick some more up today.

I'm unpacking, scrapping and doing household chores today. Jen wants to go shopping later.

@faerywings Sorry to freak you out about Remi She is fine now. Here's a video of her finding her toy in the bed. This should make you laugh.

videos - Rae Clevett

IMG_3767

raeclevett.smugmug.com

 

[taxed4ever]

Morning ladies... Yes this certainly is the Banana Bread Edition!! So nice that you are sharing such yummy recipes! It is a blah looking day out there, rain is in the forecast for later on. My day yesterday was nice and I got out for a walk in the afternoon and picked up the mail while I was out. It did sprinkle on me a bit, but I had my raincoat on so stayed nice and dry. So nice to hear all the birds singing again and the smell of the cherry blossoms was heavenly! But oh my gosh the pollen!! Sure glad that I do not suffer from allergies with the pollen. Mold and dust yes, but not pollen thank goodness! So another day of trying to catch up here and actually get a page finished off. I started one yesterday, but got distracted (so easily done lol). Played around a bit with some of my paints and made a cute little card. I have been loving my new Lavinia Stamps goodies that I ordered a while back, mostly fairy themed and lots of lovely floral stamps too. The mica paints that I spray on for the backgrounds give them a bit of a glittery look hope you can see them in the photos!

 

[taxed4ever]

@faerywings - That is a lot of banana bread! I bet your house smelled heavenly!! My DH used to like it when I would add chopped walnuts to the Banana loaves when I used to make those. DH's Mother had a great recipe for Banana Cake and she would top it with Pink Icing and shredded coconut , so yummy!! Oh the days of filling myself with sugar LOL. Sure can't do that anymore, my stomach and scale would be doing flips LOL. Ugh on the cost for the blood work for your Gary!! That is horrible! Hope that your trip to drop off the car is good. Sounds like you have a busy day ahead of you!

@tanteva - Hope you get to make your banana bread! I bet your new machine will get it whipped up in no time! You will have to let us know how it turns out!

@bcgal00 - Yes I was doing the heart stop too when I first read your post about Remi passing LOL. Sure glad that he is just fine now and such a cute video of him finding his toy! What a good dog!! Hope your unpacking goes well! It will be great to have it all done and everything put away where it belongs! Have fun shopping with Jen later on! Thanks again for the card making goodies, those pre-made card backs are so great!

Ok I better get my bed made and hop in the shower, hope to get out for another walk later on today. Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

 

[tanteva]

@taxed4ever I will try and make it. Not sure how long it will take for me to get enough bananas. Thinking of making only 1/2 of the recipe first time. In case we all hate it, better just make 1 loaf. LOL

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I'm seeing all of these banana bread recipes and I can't eat bananas anymore. I accidentally ate some in yogurt the other day and it really upset my stomach I LOVED banana bread WAHHHHH

Chris @faerywings I slept a little bit better last night. Thanks. I was sleeping SO well there for awhile that I got spoiled. I'll still be the O Cheerleader!!! Yay Rah!!!

I'll try to check back in later on - I'm leaving about 3 with Ava and Braden - I don't know if I told you girls, but Braden has been taking flying lessons. He has his first solo flight this afternoon! He has flown over our house a few times and that was exciting. We're going to take lots of pictures. Per his request - like we need a request. We're like the paparazzi. LOL

Rae @bcgal00 I'm joining the group who freaked out over you post yesterday, momentarily!!! We're all such freak-a-zoids. Hahaha

Gotta run - Braden JUST told us about his solo flight this am and I just washed my hair and have to get cleaned up. They're picking me up at 3. Adrienne is dying because she's on her way to the airport for a business trip and can't go see him!! She begged him to change it, but he won't. We're going to FaceTime with her, though. Her flight isn't until 5:30.

Hugs to all and enjoy your banana bread.