Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Carob Chip Confession

i have been eating carob chips like nuts. i used to feel sick after eating like 1/4 cup, but now it's almost as if i have built some kind of immunity to them that i can just eat eat eat.

kind of like vaccines. i have so many carob chips in me already, that i wont get sick from eating more of 'em!

i love them like no other.

love,
kenya

Nature Shot of the Week #1


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Bah-nah-nah Bread

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This is my cookbook folder.

it is bursting at it’s uh… spirals.

Every single time i use it, i vow to de-clutter things, and throw away the pieces of paper that have only 3 words written on them. But alas, it hasn’t happened just yet, and i can’t seem to see it happening anywhere in the near future no matter how many times i look in the crystal ball.

Tidiness is not for me. (yet)

Today i made some Banana Bread (see pronunciation in header).

IMG_0002  See? there is the cold hard truth. i made Banana Bread (and just to let you know what the cryptic from F--  means, go here.)

IMG_0003 Ingredients: 4 TB butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 very ripe bananas, 1 egg, 1/3 cup yoghurt, 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, pinch salt and 1 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins (not chopped, but hey, you can experiment) carob or chocolate chips.

(NOTE: i am making triple, repeat triple! so don’t follow the picture quantities, unless you want to want to like, make triple or something)

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So, Cream the butter. of course, normal folks would use an electric beater, but sadly we own none of that advanced technology so i just….

IMG_0009…soften the butter a bit in a makeshift double boiler and cream it. 

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ooh… Cweamy.

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Now it’s time to add the sugar.

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Oops, looks like i added the raw sugar, not the brown! there’s only one way to fix this..

IMG_0018add the wonder syrup: Molasses!

“how are you feeling tonight, Miss Molasses?”

“I’m great, thanks for having me on the show!”

“Oh, you’re sweet!”

“well yes! i do come from the sugar cane,..”

Is that so, Miss Moll? you must be proud of your family!”

 

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Molasses + Sugar = Brown Sugar

it’s that simple!

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And now look at that delectable, creamy goodness. ahhhh

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Now, add the bananas to the sugar-butter  mixture.

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There they are!

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i tried kind of mashing them (even though it look like i am just splitting them for the fun for it, i really, ahem, wasn’t. it was a very serious matter)

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But i found that mashing with a masher actually works better. fancy that!

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Much Better.

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Now, for another magic trick…

see that milk up there? well, since i was out of yoghurt, i decided to sub it with sour/butter milk. and since i was out of both of them i decided to make them. all you have to do is add

IMG_0011Vinegar

(thanks your lucky angels, there is no interview with Mr. Vinegar in today’s show)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Add about a cap, or two to a cup of milk, let it sit for a while and do what it does. after a few minutes, it’ll thicken.IMG_0013

yum… sour milk.

So now i hafta crack the eggs

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And scramble them. of course, if you’re sensible, and own a beater you would NOT have to do this. but I --

lets move on, shall we?

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(NOTE: i am making triple, repeat triple! so don’t follow the picture quantities, unless you want to want to like, make triple or something)

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Now, Add the eggs and the Sour Milk/Buttermilk/yoghurt to the sugar and Banana mixture. the eggs are in there somewhere, i hope.

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Then add the flour

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Baking Powder

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Baking Soda

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Salt (and don’t you forget it!)

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I added about a cup of home-made carob chips (recipe to come soon). i can just tell this is going to be good.

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Just look at this batter. i could eat it raw.

i do eat it raw.

the Salmonella gods haven’t cursed me yet.

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After mixing all ingredients together for a while (not too long, just till all is moist), place the batter in some muffin tins, or loaf tins etc. etc. Then cook it for 15-35 minutes in a 350 F oven. Depending on the size of your tins, the cooking time may take longer or shorter. you’ll know.

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While you’re waiting for the breads to cook, clean up this. Enjoy!

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Then DING it’s ready! go ahead, cut yourself a thick slice, and enjoy for reals.

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And look how the lil’ muffins turned out!

Yum.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Previously Occupied

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I have been jus a little busy lately making these. And not just one, but 200 plus of these babies.

it was for an activity, to answer your q’s. we were showcasing Australia and it’s many splendors, so we served these traditional ANZAC biscuits (cookies).

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. During WWI many wives of soldiers wanted to send some energizing, uplifting treats to their men because they had to stand 6 feet in muddy trenches.

heck, who isn’t uplifted by baked treats?

Anywho --- actually, i might just let you read it from a more reliable source.

so, as i was saying, i have been occupied.

thankyou for listening :)

Springing

 Baja Feb to May20070101_283

(something is a little too bright…ouch! my eyes!)

Spring has sprung…

…at least in my neck o’ the woods. today was so breezy, warm, inviting me to step outside and bask in the changes. i just love looking at the emerging daffodils, and tulips (my favorite) and the leaves on the rose bush are starting to bud! It’s so exciting!

Today i was reading Get Fuzzy. i love it. i love it.

just read the dialog! it’s classic!