A day in the kitchen

Some days begin and end in the kitchen. I like to cook. I enjoy food blogs. I can read about food at almost any time of day. I especially like 101 Cookbooks, Moderate Oven, Smitten Kitchen, Remedial Eating and my friend's new food blog My Sweet Life. There are others that I read, but not as often as these. I also love cookbooks. I have a few and enjoy checking them out from the library. I am always on the lookout for delicious food. I love variety in my diet and am always trying new things.

Of all the forms of cooking, I really like to bake. If given the choice, I would much prefer making chocolate chip cookies to making dinner. Sweets are a bit of my downfall. Most of the goodies I make are somewhat healthy. I substitute flax seed or chia seeds for eggs, use applesauce in lieu of oil and almost exclusively use whole wheat flour. I still use sugar, although I occasionally substitute maple syrup or honey. In a nutshell I try to make my obsession with baked goods not a detriment to my family's overall health.

I am most predictable in my baking. I prefer chocolate chip cookies to pretty much anything. I have six recipes for different types in my recipe box. I love them all with their subtle differences and nuances. I recently found out that my children do not like chocolate chip cookies above all else. They actually have other favorites. One like snickerdoodles and the other sugar cookie. Can you imagine such a thing??

In an effort to appease the masses, I recently spent a few hours in the kitchen making a few of everyone's favorites. I made banana bread, baked oatmeal cake and of course chocolate chip cookies. The banana bread is fantastic and gets rave reviews whenever I take it anywhere. I often add mini chocolate chips to one loaf, which is always a big hit. I found out about the baked oatmeal from a friend. It is delicious for breakfast or added to a bowl of yogurt and berries. And finally I made the cookies following my current favorite recipe. Everyone was quite pleased with the yummy baked goods. Below is the recipe for my banana bread. It never fails to impress.

Banana Bread - original source unknown


4 ripe bananas (1.5-2 lbs, but I often use more)
1 c pkd light brwn sugar
1/2 c oil
1 lg egg
1 c all purpose flour
1 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking pwdr 
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream (I usually use homemade yogurt)
1 T vanilla
I added choc chips on a whim

Preheat oven to 350
Beat bananas until mashed.  Add brown sugar, oil and egg.  Beat until smooth
Reduce speed to low.  Add flours thru salt.  Bet until smooth 
Add sour cream and vanilla.  Beat until combined.
Fill muffins 3/4 full
Bake 25-30 mins rotating pan halfwy thru