One of the few things Tom actually likes about cold weather is my compulsion to bake.
I'm not one to substitute an ingredient, toss in a sprinkle of this, or a pinch of that. No, it's the exactness of a recipe I find comforting.
My favorite? An ages-old version of banana nut bread. Friends and family have raved about it ... or pretended to, which is sweet. Son always gets the first loaf. A birthday ritual, if you will.
One year, however, that nearly didn't happen. I believe it was '85 -- our first year in Florida. Early December I asked R. to pick up a bunch of bananas. But even after a week's time they hadn't softened.
Short of slipping a baggie over my shoe and stomping them, I was puzzled. And peeved.
Tossing the whole works in the garbage, I abandoned the notion of baking. The next morning, however, I retrieved one from the trash. At the office I consulted my co-workers, "What do you make of this?"
A couple incredulous looks. Then, "You're holding a plantain!"
Obviously, I'd never heard of them. And no. I've never purchased another.
I've not had this much fun since I tried making divinity by hand ..... and practically spraining my arm in the process.
What a good thing Christmas comes but once a year!
I hope y'all have a great new week!
Hugs,
Myra
Myra this had me cracking up. You should have fried those babies up - delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh, but 35 years after the fact, I still fear them!
DeleteI've never purchased a plantain at the grocery but I do order them every time we eat in our favorite Cuban restaurant!! Yum!! Fried plantains are delicious! xo
ReplyDeleteDo you really think they exist in Alabama? :)
DeleteI am not a plantain fan either. But that is so funny. I have had some green bananas that refused to ripen, but they were just bananas. And I do love some good banana nut bread. I have a good recipe too that we love. I just haven't bought any bananas lately, and now I want some. Thanks for the laughs, and yes, I love raw cookie dough too, and I've lived this long to tell about it. LOL>
ReplyDeleteSoul sista!
DeleteSeen them in the supermarket; but never tried plantain.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas.
God bless.
And the same to you and your family, Victor! Thank you for these blessings.
DeleteI have had plantains and they are like banana foster, but not quite.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas, Susan!
DeleteToo funny about the plantains. I have never had one I do believe. Truly I am not a baker but I do have a few handwritten recipes of my mom's that while I may never make them I treasure them just the same. Our Christmas baking this year consisted of getting the premade sugar cookies in the shapes of trees and snowmen and making them for the grand kids to decorate :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
betty
That works for me! And your oven won't unnecessarily heat up the house.
DeleteI like your mother's recipe card screen-printed on a dish towel. It's a sweet idea.
ReplyDeleteI've seen plantains many times when I lived in Calif. and Texas, but never had a burning desire to try them. They do indeed have a skin much thicker than a banana.
My mom used to make banana-nut bread, which was good....but I prefer to bake pumpkin bread (and I'm considering making some this week).
I'm chuckling at your divinity experience.
Yep. I do believe stirring concrete would be easier. Now I'm wondering why my mother didn't have huge biceps from all those years making divinity.
Deletemy first Laugh Out Loud of today. I am howling. we are the opposite, i hate recipes and have NEVER put every single ingredient in what i cooked. of course i made bannana nut bread by using the mix
ReplyDeleteand adding pecans. yesterday I made another pumpin pie crustless fat free and it is even better. i still did not use all the ingredients but I had purchased the pumpkin pie spice and it has four in it. i also just added a few squirts of raw honey with the sweetner and YUMMMM...
this plantain thing is killing me, got to go tell thisone to bob
I NEVER heard of plantains before moving to Florida. Evil, I tell you! :)
DeleteNow that's a funny story, Myra! I love to bake at Christmas time, but our oven has been on the fritz for some time now; it is supposed to be repaired today, so I'll have to play catch-up. I always follow a recipe exactly, especially when baking. Don't want any surprises. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
No, baking surprises don't sound pleasant. Unless they're featured on Pinterest, then they're hilarious!
DeleteWE ARE WITH SANDRA, laughing out loud. I musta been at least 35 before I heard of or ever saw a plantain. BUT I have often wondered if they were ever mixed up. YOU MADE my day, I love a true confession. I believe were were in Cuba and I heard were sorta like a potato, I never held one though. Love it. Also sweet, a recipe on a towel, by mama.
ReplyDeleteSherry & jack LOL.
Glad to give y'all some comic relief! Cuba makes sense, but I'm amazed to read Jon and Victor, have seen them in their stores. Boy, that's a LONG way to hurl those plantains. :)
DeleteI eat the dough too on chocolate chip cookies. Absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Simple pleasures, indeed! Merry Christmas, Cathy.
DeleteAbout a year ago, we planned a Costa Rican menu for our group of young professionals. We bought plantains (on purpose) and ended up throwing them away!
ReplyDeleteAtta girl!
DeleteI do love banana bread, but sadly I don't make it often. I always have ripe bananas on hand, mine don't stay green long at all here. Maybe the house is too warm, but often throw them out, I have heard you can keep them in the freezer to use later on but haven't tried that out yet because I know I'll always have more. Love the idea of the recipe on a dish towel. That would make a nice gift to give.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ma. Actually, a few years back I had 4 made and gave the others to my DIL and grand-girls.
DeleteI love that dish towel!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love seeing my mother's handwriting.
Delete